After more than four decades in the police service, Detective Assistant Commissioner Sergeant Marapo closed a chapter that few in Botswana’s policing history can rival. From high-profile murder trials to emotionally draining investigations that shook the nation, Detective Marapo spent 41 years chasing truth, sometimes to conviction, sometimes to controversial acquittals. Born and raised in Ramokgwebana, the veteran detective joined the Botswana Police Service straight after completing his Form Five in 1985.
His journey up the ranks was rough, marked by high-stakes investigations into some of the country’s most complex and controversial murder cases. Following his retirement at the end of November 2025, The Voice stafferBAME PIETsat down with Marapo to reflect on his journey, the cases that defined his career, and the heavy realities of police work. I was born into a family of two brothers and five sisters in Ramokgwebana village.
I attended primary school there before proceeding to high school. I have been married for 39 years with three sons and a daughter and family has always been my anchor. Yes, being a police officer was my biggest dream growing up.
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Immediately after completing Form Five, I joined the police service as a Constable and was posted to Gweta Police Station. That was the beginning of my long and demanding journey. Many people are surprised to learn you were also into sports.
(Laughs) Yes, I was very active and I loved football, boxing and karate. They were hobbies and I never competed professionally. People joke that with my formidable physical presence I could have gone far in boxing, maybe even faced big names, but policing had already captured my heart.
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