Rape cases frustrate police as man, 28 rapes girl, 5

Boniface Keakabetse | Thursday June 11, 2015 16:21

 

Maun police station commander, Superintendent Peter Gochela said they were investigating the case in which  the man allegedly raped the five-year-old after dragging her out of her home in Boseja ward.

Gochela alleged that the man who is known to the victim and her family,  allegedly called her to the side of a fence where he was passing and then picked her up and proceeded to a nearby bush. 

He said upon reaching the bush situated not far from the girl’s home, he undressed her and proceeded to have carnal knowledge of her without using a condom.

Gochela said the girl apparently somehow found her way back home in the dark as the incident happened in the evening when it was already dark.

Gochela said the man was arrested last Friday, but was quickly released the following day as he (Gochela) said the alleged child rapist was not considered a flight risk since he is well known to the victim’s family.

Gochela said the man would soon appear in court after the finalisation of the investigations. Gochela further revealed that they are still on the trail of another man who also raped a 14-year-old Standard Six pupil at Bonatla Primary School last week.

He said the man who is reportedly known to her, raped the girl when she was coming from school.  Gochela said the man, who is now on the run, dragged the girl to a nearby abandoned house where he forced himself on the girl using a condom.

The police boss appealed for information from anyone who can help them arrest the suspect. Meanwhile, Gochela said the rate of escalating rape cases in Maun was worrying.

He said since the beginning of this year, they have recorded 40 rape cases already, saying last year by now they had recorded 41 cases.  Gochela said they have however observed that most of the rape victims, apart from minors, are mostly raped alone when coming from bars and nightclubs.

Gochela called on women not to walk alone in the dark. He further revealed that one of the strategies they are using as a police station is through the Maun Women Network.

 Gochela said the network comprises exclusively of women police officers who conduct public awareness campaigns on crimes particularly rape in Maun.