BDP Youth Congress Ends In Inebriation, Rape Allegations
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday March 9, 2020 15:35
Rakops police initially downplayed the rumours, but confirmed they were investigating cases in which two women – one aged 20 and the other whose age was not established, as they are yet to give an account – were found compromised and unconscious at the camp.
The two women were admitted at Rakops Hospital where they were ferried by their party cadres. Medical practitioners who attended to the women at the hospital reported their cases to the police. Spt Thito Freeman confirmed the reports.
“We are investigating the cases of two women that are currently admitted at the hospital, but we haven’t confirmed yet if they could have been sexually assaulted. We are waiting for the medical practitioner’s reports,” the Station Commander said on Sunday.
Nevertheless, allegations were that one woman was raped at the party’s camp set up at the show grounds at Jakopo Ward on Friday night. The tented camp, similar to the famous BDP’s Dubai Camp in Tonota, housed hundreds of people from different party regions across the country. Although the Police denied the rumours, it was alleged that some suspects were brought in for questioning on Saturday morning and released immediately after. Amongst the alleged suspects was one of the members contesting a leadership position for the youth league executive committee.
When quizzed about the developments the police chief briefly said, “Some information is classified as investigations are still ongoing”.
He confirmed there was overindulgence of alcohol by the youth who attended the congress. Freeman said they, otherwise, did not yet register any criminal activities after the busy weekend that brought the usually quiet Rakops to life.