20 Apr 2017

Two men of Sojwe and Takatokwane in Kweneng District appeared briefly before Molepolole Chief Magistrate Lenah Oahile-Mokibe each faced with two counts of rape committed on separate dates last year.

One of the suspects, Gabanathuso Mmamolapo of Takatokwane village allegedly dragged a 30-year-old cousin whom he found in the company of her parents to a nearby bush where he raped her before releasing her the following morning on June 4 at Lehubutswane lands.

In another incident, according to the charged sheet, which also took place at Lebuhutswane lands the suspect reportedly raped his 45-year-old aunt whom he found sleeping next to the fire place at night in December 2016.  

The case however could not proceed as Ms Oahile-Mokibe advised the prosecutor Sub Inspector Potso Kealeboga of Takatokwane police to consolidate the two cases and make them one with different counts.

The prosecution had initially wanted the accused to be charged separately on the two offences, arguing that investigations for the December matter was still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the other accused person, 37-year-old Balona Gakerapelwe of Sojwe was also arraigned before the same courtroom for allegedly raping two women aged 51 and 52 years of Sojwe village between April 2016 and April 2017.

The prosecutor Theresa Ntusa was also advised to combine the two cases. Gakebarapele is alleged to have raped his two victims on two different dates at their respective homes at Sojwe village. Meanwhile, a 20-year-old Gaolatlhe Wamokhu of Boatlaname village accused of severely injuring Goitseone Motlhanka  by causing him multiple injuries has been denied bail.

The accused’s plea to be released on the basis that he was going to raise money to be used by the victim’s relatives for regular transport fare to the hospital was dismissed as baseless .

The Prosecutor Inspector Ntusa had argued that the investigations on the matter was at a preliminary stage and the victim was still admitted at the hospital in a critical condition, saying the charge was likely to be amended depending on the circumstances.

The accused was further remanded, while the prosecution was ordered to produce a medical report that would guide the court decision about the victims’ conditions in the next appearance scheduled for May 2. BOPA