PETITION FOR JUSTICE FOR RETSHEPILE SETSO TSHEDU

To: The President of the Republic of Botswana, Ministry of State Presidency, Defence and Security, Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, The Commissioner of Police, Director of Public Prosecutions, UNICEF, and all relevant authorities of the Republic of Botswana

We, the undersigned, write with deep sorrow, outrage, and urgency regarding the tragic death of Retshepile Setso Tshedu, a 13-year-old child whose life was cut short on the 17th of May 2025.

Retshepile, affectionately known as Tshepi, died under circumstances initially reported as suicide. However, post-mortem findings have revealed deeply disturbing evidence that cannot and must not be ignored. The medical examination confirmed that Tshepi had been subjected to sexual abuse, including severe physical violations and the presence of sexually transmitted infections. These findings strongly indicate prolonged abuse prior to her death.

Despite the gravity of this evidence, it has now been ten months since Tshepi’s death, and no arrests have been made. This delay in justice is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about the handling of the investigation.

We are further troubled by reports that there was resistance to conducting a post-mortem, which is alarming in a case involving the death of a minor under unclear circumstances. Tshepi was living with her mother who is a police officer at Sehithwa and stepfather at the time of her death, and conflicting accounts surrounding the events leading up to her passing demand thorough and transparent investigation. Her mother and stepfather did not want post-mortem to be done. Her mother was interfering with the investigations and the stepfather refused to voluntarily give his blood specimen for DNA tests cross checking with what was found in the child. Custody of the swaps collected from the post-mortem were in custody of an officer of the same station though it was requested that the case be handled by a different station. The case was being thrown from one investigator to another without progress.

Tshepi before her demise she was denied free communication with her biological father. Her father sent her some money through her mother so that she can buy her a phone for better communication with her biological father, unfortunately the phone was never bought.

Tshepi was a child. She deserved protection. She deserved safety. She deserved a future.

Instead, she suffered in silence.

We therefore demand the following:

1. Immediate and transparent investigation into the sexual abuse and death of Retshepile Setso Tshedu.
2. Swift arrest and prosecution of all individuals responsible for her abuse and any negligence that contributed to her death.
3. Accountability from law enforcement authorities regarding the delay in action over the past ten months.
4. Protection of witnesses and whistle-blowers who may have information relevant to this case.
5. A public statement from authorities outlining the steps being taken to ensure justice for Tshepi.
6. Broader systemic review of child protection mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
7. This is not just about one child. This is about the safety of all children in Botswana. When a child can be abused, silenced, and justice delayed without consequence, it signals a failure of the systems meant to protect the most vulnerable among us.  

According to UNICEF perpetrators often go unpunished instilling a fear throughout communities that confines girls to their homes and robs them education, employment and so much more. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Botswana as a state party is obligated to protect every child and fulfil their rights, but in this case the proper justice system failed. Re A Bua Foundation is committed to ending violation of every child and call upon today's generation to demand justice from leaders. 

We refuse to allow Tshepi’s story to be buried in silence.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice for Tshepi is long overdue.

We call on all relevant authorities to act with urgency, integrity, and accountability.

 
#JusticeForTshepi

#Tshepideservedbetter
#ProtectOurChildren