Letlhakane police worried by rape cases :: Mmegi Online

FRANCISTOWN: The 47 cases of rape recorded by Letlhakane police since the beginning of this year cause concern, the station commander, superintendent Michael Maphephu said. Maphephu told Mmegi that most victims were raped at shebeens when drunk, who include girls aged below 18 who are prohibited by law from drinking alcohol.

He said efforts to stop the residents from selling liquor in their houses, especially illegal home-made brews, were futile. “Some even trick us into believing that they drink tea as they put khadi in a big teapot, consuming it the whole day.” One of the recent cases involved the rape of a 15-year-old girl by a 20-year-old man. Police say the man dragged the girl to his house where he raped her.

“Often times under age girls are victims of rape because of illegal trading of liquor in their households,” Maphephu said. The station commander said he believed that many cases were not reported to the police because the victims chose to remain silent.

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