Two men from Lephalale, South Africa, suspected to be armed robbers were arrested in Gaborone on Saturday and incarcerated.
The arrest was made following a shoot-out between six armed men and law enforcement officers at Block 8 and the police managed to arrest one suspect on the same day while the second one was arrested on Monday.
The two suspects, William Mpadi Maphoto, aged 30, and Eric Matlou, 42, were arraigned before Village Magistrates court on Wednesday facing two counts of unlawful possession of a gun and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Speaking to The Voice in an interview, Botswana Police Spokesperson Assistant Police Commissioner Dipheko Motube said that after arresting the first suspect on Sunday, police managed to arrest the other one the following day and he was found with a loaded gun.
He said the arrest was made during their routine patrols because of the rising crime in the city.
“This is a transnational organised crime. We suspect they were likely to engage in some home invasion robbery cases that are on the rise. Our investigations are ongoing and we are looking for some locals we suspect work with the duo in crime,” said Motube
The accused persons were remanded in custody to return to court on the 9th February.
