29 May 2025

Senior Magistrate Onnetse Ntwayapelo of Serowe Magistrate Court has sentenced Ontumetse Phutiyarona to 10 years in jail for rape. The accused aged 54 year from Sesenyi ward in Paje was facing a rape charge that occured in November 2022 at Mmashoro.

Passing judgement recently, the magistrate said the accused was convicted for malicious damage to property in Paje in 1998 before the current rape charges. He was convicted by Paje customary court, even though he denied being convicted with any offence.

During mitigation Phutiyarona indicated that he was the bread winner for his family and also he was looking after his ailing mother. The Commander of Serowe Police Station, Superintendent Poloko Oteng told BOPA that they were concerned about rape and murder cases occurring in his area of jurisdiction. Supt. Oteng said things had changed now that the relatives staying together in one family were now topping the list with rape and murder cases. Uncles rape their nephews while brothers are threatening to kill their sisters.

Mr Oteng said families were fearful to leave their children with their uncles thinking that they were not save. They have changed into enemies. He cautioned members of the community, including family members, to be alert in saving children lives because they were in danger. ENDS