*Suspected rapist gets immediate bail
*Accused of raping disabled 9-year-old
Despite the state’s request that he remain locked up as the matter was still new, a Tonota man accused of raping a disabled nine-year-old girl was granted bail by Francistown Magistrate Court at the first time of asking.
The suspect, Mojage Gaothobogwe, 39, was awarded his conditional freedom on Tuesday, just three days after his alleged offence.
He was arrested the day (Saturday 23 October) of the suspected sex crime, which was reportedly witnessed by the little girl’s sister and then reported to the police by the child’s relatives.
Begging court not to release Gaothobogwe so soon, the Investigating Officer (IO), Sengwenyana Keleitse noted the matter was still extremely fresh, with the cops yet to engage social workers.
“The reason I am here is to request this court not to grant the accused bail on the following reasons: the victim is a minor, she is a neighbour to the accused, she is still traumatized, together with her sister who witnessed the incident.”
Adding more weight to his argument, the IO further told court Gaothobogwe is also implicated in a similar incident that took place earlier this year.
“The accused has another pending case before Tonota Police that involves a minor aged 12 that occurred this year January. The victims have not yet received counselling from the social workers and we are making arrangements for them to be assisted,” revealed Keleitse.
For his part, the suspected child-rapist promised to stay away from Tonota should he be spared jail.
“I am asking for bail my worship because I have someone who wants me to fix his engine in Xanngwe so I will stay there and attend court from there. For my yard here, I will ask someone to look after it so that the thieves do not break in,” Gaothobogwe said.
It proved a successful plea as Magistrate Thabang Chokwe ruled he be set free, setting the suspect’s bail at P2, 000, with two sureties required to bind themselves to the same amount.
“The accused is to report himself at Gumare Police Station every Monday between 0730 and 1630 hours. He should not go to Tonota village or anywhere near the victim. If there is something that he wants in Tonota he has to inform the Station Commander and keep a distance of 200 metres from the victim,” continued Magistrate Chokwe.
Gaothobogwe is due back in court on 22 November.
