BDF Service Members Die In A Shooting Incident At Pemba In The Republic Of Mozambique

The Botswana Defence Force wishes to regrettably inform members of the public about the unfortunate shooting incident in which the BDF lost 2 service members deployed in the Cabo Delgado Province of the Republic of Mozambique. During the unfortunate incident, an officer of the rank of Major used his service rifle to fatally shoot a Private soldier who was on duty before turning the weapon on himself. During the incident, another Private soldier sustained an injury to her hand. The soldier is in a stable condition and recovering.

Investigations to establish circumstances surrounding the incident that resulted in the death of these 2 service personnel are on-going. While the BDF conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of the Republic of Botswana, it withholds the names of the deceased to allow their families the space to privately mourn during this difficult time. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

The deceased were deployed as part of the BDF 3rd Contingent under SAMIM Forces in the Cabo Delgado region for a peace support operation. SAMIM operations are aimed at neutralising terrorist threat and restoring security in order to create a secure environment to strengthen and maintain peace and security in support of the government of Mozambique.