27 Jul 2025

Kasane senior magistrate, Ms Wame Mosugelo has granted bail to a 60-year-old Parakarungu man in a case relating to the alleged rape of his two stepdaughters aged 14 and 15.

Delivering the bail ruling on Thursday, Ms Mosugelo attached several conditions to the accused’s release, among them being that he should pay P10,000 cash and produce as sureties, two blood relatives who would each bind themselves with P2,000 cash.

She said the accused, who had been in custody since May 20 when the incident was reported, was also bound to attend court sessions as and when required and that he should not commit any offence while on bail. Furthermore, the magistrate stressed that the stepfather was prohibited from having access to or contacting the complainants.

“You and your wife who happens to be the mother of these children should at no point in time contact nor sniff around to uncover where the children are sheltered. Should you fail to abide by this condition, you will remain in custody until your case is settled.”

Giving a status update on the case, social welfare officer from Chobe District Council, Ms Ompuseditse Maundo, stated that the minors had been removed from their home in Parakarungu to a safety shelter, which remained undisclosed for their protection. She pointed out that the decision to keep the shelter anonymous to both parents was due to the fact that the children’s mother was in cahoots with the accused, allegedly colluding with him to jeopardise the case.

Ms Maundo reported that the two girls had settled well and were getting proper education and therapy. She requested that the children be given three months to settle before giving their testimonies, adding that any communication from the parents should be routed through council. ENDS