The ever-present danger of gender based-violence (GBV) reared its ugly head yesterday (Sunday) after a 22-year-old boy was caught raping a grandmother of 84 years.
As residents of Palapye continued with celebrations to mark 57 years of Botswana's independence, the reality that women are not safe in their own homes hit home when neighbours in Lotsane ward woke up to screams of an elderly woman being raped by a young man.
“We are investigating an incident in which a 22-year-old man is suspected to have raped an 84-year-old woman at Lotsane ward. The incident happened in the wee hours of today. The suspect is alleged to have made his way into the old woman’s room and the victim’s scream woke up the neighbours and the family. They managed to catch up with the alleged suspect as he tried to flee. The public then brought him to police,” Superintendent, Moses Serojane, of Palapye Central Police Station told MmegiOnline.
Meanwhile, Palapye police said they are troubled by incidents of robbery which are increasing in the area. According to Superintendent Serojane, just before the holidays, they recorded three cases in which Asian men were attacked and robbed of their cell phones and a laptop. The value of all items is P43 000.00. The suspects Isaac Ngwenya (43), from Plumtree, Zimbabwe, Gosego Tapela (37) from Mahalapye, Nxhosa ward, Thato Kongela (42), Bobonong and Gomotsang Badiyi (32) from Tutume were found in possession of the victim's belongings. The four accused persons are remanded in prison.
