Rapists turn Thamaga Kgotla into brothel

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Wednesday December 14, 2011 00:00

Suprintendent Balidzi Ntamba of Thamaga has confirmed that they have arrested two men aged 26 and 27 in connection with a series of rape committed in his area between October and December, three of which were allegedly committed at the village kgotla (Leobo). 'Apparently they dragged their victims to the Kgotla to utilise the cement floor of the leobo,' he said.

He said that two suspects - Puso Keboletswe (27) and Kagiso Monkge (26) - were arrested last week and were immediately arraigned before Molepolole Magistrate Court on Friday on rape charges, and were remanded in custody.

'Two more suspected accomplices are at large and we are hoping to arrest them as soon as possible.

We are investigating whether the group is also linked to seven more cases of rape which have not been resolved,' he said.

He added that they have also recovered three cellphones, which the suspects stole from their victims.

Ntamba expressed concern at the high rate in which rape was committed in Thamaga policing area since September. He did not have statistics immediately, but stated that the high rate is a source of concern.

'A week hardly passes without us getting a rape report.

It is so serious that we do not know what is happening to men in this area,' he said. He cautioned that the perpetrators do not have mercy and they prey on any woman they meet in their rage, including the elderly and school children.

The police went to the main Kgotla to inform the tribal authorities about their findings, Ntamba said. Meanwhile, Thamaga senior chief's representative, Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamang confirmed incidents in which the staff found used condoms in the leobo a few weeks ago.

He said that previously they found such used condoms in the Sesigo, an abandoned structure, which had no door.

'We then fitted the door to avoid these incidences and that was when we subsequently found used condoms in the Kgotla Leobo,' he said. He said they were very disappointed with the reports.

He said that he had not received the official report from the police, as they may have come to his office when he was away.

'I will find out from my juniors about the arrests and findings by the police,' he said.