101- year old man charged with raping granddaughter

*Allegedly rumbled in the act

Bobonong Police are investigating a case in which a 101-year-old man reportedly raped his great-granddaughter in Molalatau village last week.

The unusual incident is said to have occurred at the family’s home shortly after the 12-year-old girl returned from school.

Allegations are that the old man forced himself upon his relative. However, he was caught in action by the girl’s cousin, who immediately alerted her mother, who subsequently reported the matter to the police.

In a brief interview with The Voice, Bobonong Station Commander, Paul Seoko revealed investigations were ongoing through the help of social workers.

“After receiving the report, we took the victim to the hospital for the doctor’s examination and we are waiting for the results. The old man was also questioned, charged and released,” said Seoko, adding the child, a Standard 6 pupil, is currently undergoing counselling.

The suspect is now staying with a different daughter and is expected to appear in court once the police investigations are complete.

Meanwhile, a concerned Seoko further disclosed that his station has recorded four cases of defilement since the start of the year.

“All these young girls are pregnant!” declared the top cop, adding three of the suspects have since been arrested whilst the fourth remains at large.

The startling stat continues a worrying trend, with 23 defilement cases recorded in the area in 2020.

“What is disheartening is that the perpetrators are people in the victim’s neighbourhood. Sometimes parents are reluctant to report these cases saying that there will be no one to support the child if the suspect goes to jail,” said Seoko.

According to the police chief, most of the offences occur during ploughing season, when parents relocate to the fields and leave their children alone. He further noted the majority of the cases are not reported by the family, with the police relying on the hospital to inform them when a pregnant minor is admitted.

“We do house-to-house and visit schools educating people about this offence. During festive, we had a stall at Bobonong bus rank addressing this issue but the message seems to be falling on deaf ears,” he concluded sadly.