Ongoing fuel shortage experienced by government is said to be hampering Tati Town police to pursue and arrest three suspects implicated in the murder of Paul Manyathelo of Makobo three years ago.
Prosecution told Francistown Magistrate Thapelo Buang this Tuesday that the suspects are allegedly nomadic, traversing between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Detectives have reportedly not been able to travel due to fuel shortages which have hit government, leaving the majority of vehicles dry and grounded.
The arrest of the three suspects would bring to five the number of suspects who allegedly ganged up against Manyathelo on the fateful night of February 2022.
The mysterious murder case of Manyathelo which had gone cold due to lack of evidence linking Susan Manyathelo to the murder of her husband, resurfaced last month. This followed after police stumbled on crucial information when one of the key suspects, Blessing Bhebhe a citizen of Zimbabwe, returned to Botswana and allegedly started asking about the outcome of Manyethelo’s case.
During his enquiry, information was leaked to police leading to Bhebhe’s apprehension and the re-arrest of Susan Manyathelo. Bhebhe seems to be the master mind and main hit man in the murder of Manyathelo’s death.
According to Detective Joseph Modipe intelligence in their possession indicates that 61-year-old Manyathelo was killed by hired hit men at his home in Makobo around the 7th or 8th February 2022. Only for his blooded body to be found in his van along the main road to Borolong village on the outskirts of Francistown.
Apart from the pending arrest of the trio which is still at large, investigators are also waiting for the call log report from mobile network companies. A report the police anticipate to uncover more information and communication that transpired between the killers and the deceased’s wife prior to the murder of the deceased.
During Tuesday’s status update, Bhebhe accused the investigating officer of refusing to assist him to contact his relatives back in Zimbabwe.
“None of my family members is aware of my arrest and that I am languishing in prison. The investigating officer has refused to assist in that regard. He says he will only help me to notify my relatives, only if I cooperate with him in the way he wants. Otherwise, I can forget getting any help from him. He even told me that if anything happens to me while in prison, he would be not worried at all”, claimed Bhebhe.
Magistrate Buang ordered the Francistown Prison Officer in charge to assist Bhebhe in contacting his relatives and also to appear in Court next year January to update the Court, during Bhebhe and Manyathelo’s court mention.
