Police in Sehithwa are investigating an incident in which a 16-year-old boy recently died in an alleged freak accident after he was mistakenly shot by one of the men he was travelling with in a vehicle at Matsebe cattle post near Toteng.
The incident is reported to have occurred at night when the group of five men were traveling back home from the cattle post where they had gone to search for their horses. The five included the 16-year-old deceased, a 30-year-old man of Makola cattle post near Komana, three men also from Matsebe cattle aged 19, 23 and 26 years old.
Using a Toyota Hilux van three were seated in front with the deceased being in the middle while the other two 2 were riding behind and the other one was holding a shot-gun.
According to Sehithwa Police Station Command Superintendent Nshaki Mabophiwa, the gun is reported to have then fallen off the hands of the passenger seating behind and as he picked it up with the barrel pointing to the front the gun is alleged to have accidentally discharged, shooting the deceased at the back of his head through the window.
Mabophiwa said the boy was then rushed to Toteng Clinic where he was confirmed dead and his body is currently awaiting post mortem at Letsholathebe III Memorial Hospital in Maun.
The deceased was a form 2 students Ngami Junior Secondary School in Sehithwa.
Meanwhile, Mabophiwa revealed that the men had borrowed the gun from their herdsman who did not have a temporary license. He indicated that the owner of the gun who had handed it to the herdman was charged for unlawfully handing the gun to someone without getting a temporary license for him.
He further indicated that the 19-year-old driver was also charged for driving without a driver’s license.
Mabophiwa noted that his station has in the past recorded similar cases of loaded guns accidentally discharging and causing death and harm. He expressed worried about such cases and encouraged gun owners to always be extra cautious when handling firearms. He pleaded with them to safely store the guns in their cages and also ensure that they are unloaded (in their safe mode) when not in use.
