Gang rapists terrorise Ngami students

Boniface Keakabetse | Tuesday February 24, 2015 10:47

Authorities said the February 1 incident involved a 15-year-old boarding student, who was attacked in her hostel. On the same day, the quartet attempted to rape another 15-year-old female student at the school, which mostly admit students from poor, remote area settlements. Following the horror, female students at the school hostels are living in fear.

Concerned Parents and Teachers Association chair, Onkarabile Makgana told Mmegi yesterday that they are worried about the students’ safety as there was another rape at the school last year. The perpetrator in that incident is still at large.

Four young men have been arrested in connection with the recent rape and attempted rape. Willie Tjihumino (19), Ueriuruka Maoveka (18) George Hambira (18) and another 17-year-old minor appeared at the Maun Magistrate Court charged with the offences.

Sehithwa Police station commander, Zakes Masike however denied that there were still outstanding cases involving the rape of Ngami Junior Secondary School students at their hostels.

School headmaster, Onalethata Lekelandi, said there was little that could be done about the institution’s security due to its remote location.

“There is nothing that can be done because the security problem is inherent from the way the school was built. “We have requested the police to intensify patrols around the school after the recent incident.

“Students have also gone through rigorous counselling to help them cope with the issue,” Lekelandi said.

Meanwhile, a Non-Governmental Organisation called Girlfriend for Education, has donated sanitary pads to students at the school after it was realised that many come from poor backgrounds and are unable to afford the items.

The NGO said the donation was meant to preserve the girls’ dignity, amidst reports that some students had resorted to using all manner of materials in place of sanitary pads.