BOTSWANA. MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR RITUAL KILLING

the Lobatse High Court, Botswana, sentenced Sepeni Popo, 53, to death for the murder of Boitshwarelo Tinki Balotlegi of Molepolole. Passing sentence, High Court Judge Ian Kirby ruled out any extenuating circumstances and said Popo picked out his victim as if he was selecting grocery.
The deceased was found dead in October 2004, with her private parts missing in what was purported to be a ritual murder.
The court stated that Popo’s detailed confession, strong circumstantial evidence and his conduct during the trial proved that he played a major role in the murder.
Justice Kirby said it was Popo who narrated how he seized the deceased and inflicted the first stab wound to her neck then closed her mouth with his hands to prevent her from screaming, while her throat was cut and her private parts removed. The court acquitted and discharged Popo’s co-accused Kautu Eanang, a traditional doctor, as it could not be proved that human flesh he had in possession actually belonged to the murder victim.