I want my freedom-alleged serial rapist

Appearing for the status update before THE Extension II Magistrate's Court this morning, Loeto stated that the slow pace of investigations is affecting his right to liberty. Prosecutor, Simon Galebonwe, had told the court that they are almost done with their investigations and that the only thing that remains was the DNA results, and as such the accused should remain in custody. "We are waiting for the laboratory to give us the DNA results of four new victims who gave us their samples to test against the sample of the accused," Galebonwe said. However, he also said this did not sit well with the accused as he bemoaned that he has been in prison since last year August, which is unfair. "I would like to know that while they are waiting to conclude their investigations, can't I be released from custody?" Loeto asked. The accused argued that he needs to get his things in order starting off with his daughter who solely depends on him for survival.

Furthermore, Loeto was left perplexed by Galebonwe's remarks that they are testing his blood sample against other four victims, a process he never consented to. "My question to Galebonwe is that during the last appearance he stated that they have already tested and their results are ready. This happened after I filled a consent form but today I'm told about four new victims and I did not fill any forms. Whose sample are you using?" questioned Loeto. Given a chance to respond, Galebonwe stated that it is indeed true that he initially filled consent forms and was not requested to do so for other victims. "It is true. Loeto is arrested in connection of rape cases that occurred in Ramotswa in the same pattern in a case he stands accused of. So it is the same sample we got from him that is being used to compare against other victims for DNA profiling," he said.

Magistrate Kaveri Kapeko revealed to Loeto that the prosecutions is actually doing him a favour to consolidate the charges against him. "If they are saying they are investigating other cases to join them with this one it means they are being nice to you. What they are doing in their investigation is for them to prove their case against you," Kapeko said. In terms of whether Loeto should be released from custody, Kapeko told the accused that the matter can be argued on a different date. "The accused is further remanded in custody and his bail hearing will be heard on February 10," ordered Magistrate. Loeto has been charged with numerous counts of rape charges with the likelihood of taking the count to 15 following the investigating officer Tiboni Lucas' remarks that the accused might be the man who has been on their radar for the rape cases in Ramotswa and surrounding areas. The IO revealed that Loeto is the suspected serial rapist in the cases because of the same pattern of how the victims were raped.