Over the past decade, Botswana has reported more than 6,000 cases of missing persons, with 426 individuals still unaccounted for. The year 2021 saw a spike in cases, with 45 people remaining missing.
Authorities have confirmed that 334 reported missing persons were found deceased; 178 from natural causes, 97 by suicide, and 54 murdered. Although six victims were discovered with body parts missing, often linked culturally to ritual killings, forensic examinations revealed these injuries occurred after death. Botswana’s Penal Code does not recognize ritual killings as a separate offense.
In a detailed report released by Moeti Mohwasa, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, the trends of missing persons in Botswana over the last ten years were laid bare. While the number of reports remains high, Mohwasa emphasized that most cases are resolved with the individuals returning safely.
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