GABORONE, Botswana – In a dramatic cross-border manhunt, Botswana Police Service (BPS) has arrested a 32-year-old man accused of stabbing his girlfriend during a heated domestic dispute before fleeing to South Africa with their 4-year-old child.
The incident unfolded late Friday night in Phikwe, eastern Botswana, where witnesses reported hearing screams from the couple’s rented home. The victim, 28-year-old Thabo Mmereki, sustained multiple stab wounds to her abdomen and arms. She was rushed to Phikwe Referral Hospital in critical condition but is now stable after emergency surgery.
According to BPS spokesperson Superintendent Mogomotsi Pilane, the suspect, identified as Kabelo Mokone, allegedly attacked Mmereki following an argument over infidelity. “He stabbed her several times with a kitchen knife before grabbing their young son and driving off in a white Toyota Corolla towards the border,” Pilane said during a Saturday press briefing.
Alerted by border officials, South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mahikeng intercepted Mokone’s vehicle near the Pioneer Gate crossing around 2 a.m. Saturday. The child was unharmed and reunited with family, while Mokone resisted arrest, leading to a brief scuffle.
Extradited back to Botswana by midday, Mokone faces charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, and child abduction. He appeared in Phikwe Magistrates Court Sunday morning, where bail was denied. The case has shocked the close-knit community, highlighting rising domestic violence in the region.
Mmereki’s family expressed relief: “We’re grateful for the swift action by police on both sides. Justice must prevail for our sister and nephew.” BPS urged the public to report gender-based violence, emphasizing hotlines like 999.
This arrest underscores the importance of regional cooperation in combating cross-border crimes amid porous borders between Botswana and South Africa