‘Credible’ evidence points to Tlotso’s step father

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has revealed that ‘credible’ evidence proves that indeed Tlotso’s stepfather, a Zimbabwean national, Lovemore Sithole (37) played a major role in the murder of sevenyear-old Tlotso Karema whose case has caused public outrage. Contrary to claims of DNA tests results manipulation, the police maintain that their initial DNA report is correct and the body remains that were discovered along Kanye road belong to Tlotso.

Tlotso failed to return home after school and was reported missing on March 18, 2022 after disappearing without trace. The police then embarked on a massive search with the help of members of the public but to no avail. On April 13 this year, the police received a tip off and human remains were discovered in the bush along the Kanye road. The police later revealed that the DNA report from their Forensic Laboratory showed that the remains belong to the missing Tlotso.

The BPS public relations officer, senior superintendent Near Bagali told this publication that they are aware of some reports alleging that the BPS has manipulated the DNA report and that the remains do not belong to Tlotso. Bagali said they challenge someone with different findings to present them.

“Our investigation team has made a breakthrough and we have credible evidence that indeed Sithole played a role in the murder of Tlotso and that it is the only thing that is new. We still maintain that our findings are correct and that the remains belong to Tlotso. We have since opened a murder case against Sithole who was arraigned before the Lobatse Magistrate Court facing a single count of murder on Thursday,” Bagali highlighted.

Bagali further assured the nation that they have a suspect in custody and investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Reports that Tlotso is still alive and allegations that the police had doctored the report caused public uproar in Lobatse recently where some people were later arrested for inciting violence. That happened after the BPS released the DNA results, which were rejected by Tlotso’s parents because they believed that their son was kidnapped and still alive. The parents wanted an independent investigation to be conducted because they were dissatisfied with the DNA report released by the police. After the riots in Lobatse and public pressure, the police continued with their investigations with the help of Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and that is when on Tuesday Sithole was arrested with the suspicion that he played a major role in Tlotso’s murder. Sithole will appear before the Lobatse Magistrate Court for mention on July 12.