*Public inquest set to probe teen girl’s mysterious death
*Judge to hear evidence in open court
The mystery surrounding the death of 13-year-old Retshephile Tshepi Tshedu is set to be unraveled after the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) recommended a public inquest into the tragic case.
Tshepi’s young life was cut short under unclear circumstances in Sehithwa in May 2025, sparking nationwide public outrage amid calls for answers from her family, community members and child rights advocates.
In a national address on Tuesday, Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa announced that investigations into the matter have been completed and the docket has been forwarded to the DPP for an independent legal assessment.
The DPP, following its review, concluded that a public inquest should be conducted to establish the facts surrounding the teenager’s death.
“The presiding magistrate will independently assess all the evidence presented during the inquest and whether a prima facie case exists against any individual and whether criminal charges should be brought,”he explained
He added that, in the interest of transparency and accountability the inquest will be fully open to the public.
“This forum will provide a legal avenue for any member of the public or any person with relevant information or material evidence to formally submit to the court for consideration,” Mohwasa explained this week.
The minister appealed for calm and respect for the dignity of the minor child and her family as the legal process unfolds.
Upon receiving the petition in April, Mohwasa stated that he was satisfied with the highest professional standards with which the investigation was conducted and the availing of resources during the previous 10 months since the matter was brought to the attention of the authorities.
“There are specific policies, regulations and international obligations that govern how cases involving minors are handled. These are not merely bureaucratic obstacles, they are safeguards to ensure a child’s dignity is preserved even in death, that evidence collected without contamination that testimony is obtained without re-traumatisation, and that every procedural step can withstand the scrutiny of a court of law,” the minister said in April.
Director of Public Prosecutions Kgosietsile Ngaakagae recently announced that the DPP will no longer will no longer give accept withdrawal of gender-based violence (GBV) cases by families or victims on grounds of reconciliation.
He said the decision was informed by the increasing number of serious crimes involving women and children, including murders and defilement cases.
From January to December 2024, Botswana Police Service have recorded an estimated 320 cases of murder, majority of them involving children killed by their mothers’ partners.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that the cause of Tshephi’s death could be linked to her mother’s relationship with a boyfriend. DPP have however, not confirmed the claims and no findings have yet been made by a court of law.
The venue for the inquest is yet to be announced.
