A Gaborone-based taxi driver escaped death after he was allegedly shot by off-duty officers who were planning an armed robbery.
Three off-duty members of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) are at the centre of police investigations, following the shooting of a twenty-nine-year old taxi man.
Information passed to Sunday Standard indicate that the three suspects might have stolen some arms and ammunition from the BDF armory while they were on duty.
The suspects reportedly attempted to hijack a taxi to use as the getaway vehicle.
The Station Commander of Mogoditshane Police Station, Superintendent, Nkwebi Chilisa, said, “We have arrested three members of the BDF following the shooting of a twenty-nine-year old taxi driver who was based at Gaborone Bus Rank.”
Chilisa said that the taxi man apparently took one of the accused persons from the Bus Rank to Tsolamosese and added that the taxi man was attacked while his motor vehicle was in motion, causing it to hit a tree.
He further said the taxi man is hospitalized at Princess Marina and is recovering well.
“What I can say for now is that the taxi man sustained injuries around his neck,” he said. “Police are still investigating the case.”
He added that the three accused man are being charged with attempted murder and that their next mention will be on the 13 of July at the Broadhurst Magistrate Court.
In an interview with Sunday Standard at the hospital, the taxi man, Otsile Morwaagae, said, “I was shot in the neck by a passenger who had asked me to take him to Tsolamosese.”
