Botswana executes two for murder

Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa, 33, and his co-accused Matshidiso Tshid Boikanyo, 39, were hanged to death in the capital Gaborone

GABORONE – Botswana, one of the few democracies to still enforce the death penalty, on Saturday executed two men convicted of murder.

The latest executions bring to four the number of hangings since President Mokgweetsi Masisi was elected last October.

Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa, 33, and his co-accused Matshidiso Tshid Boikanyo, 39, were hanged to death in the capital Gaborone, the prison services said in a statement.

The two were handed the death sentence for the murder of a taxi driver six years ago.

This follows a death sentence which was imposed on them by the Gaborone High Court on the 01 December for the offence of murder.

Botswana, which previously executed a man last month and another one in December, is the only country in southern Africa still regularly hanging convicts.

The death penalty has been legal in Botswana since its independence from Britain in 1966.

Nearly three-quarters of the world's 195 states have either abolished the punishment or not carried it out over the past decade, according to rights group Amnesty International.

Botswana Government Press Release

The Botswana Prison Service wishes to inform the Public that the execution of the death penalty passed on Mr Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa, 33 years of Mafitlhakgosi in Tlokweng and his co-accused Mr Matshidiso Tshid Boikanyo, 39 years of Lesetlheng Ward in Tlokweng, was carried out today, Saturday 28th March 2020 at Gaborone Central Prison in the morning.

The High Court convicted Mr Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa and Mr Matshidiso Tshidi Boikanyo for the murder of Mr Vincent Mopipi, a cab driver, on the 13th September 2013, at Block 9 location in Gaborone.

They later appealed the judgement but were dismissed on the 08 February 2019 by the Court of Appeal.

Signed

Assistant Commissioner Wamorena Ramolefhe

For/Commissioner of Prisons

Source: Agence France-Presse, Staff, March 28, 2020

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