Noticing that her 12-year-old daughter was walking with a limp, a Mathangwane mum received the reply every parent dreads when she enquired what was wrong: her little girl told her she had just been raped.
The child’s finger of blame pointed at the family’s builder, 40-year-old Simon Moloi, who has since been arrested and charged with rape.
Moloi was hauled before Francistown Magistrates Court this Tuesday, where, despite begging for bail on the premise he has outstanding debts to collect and houses still to finish, he learnt he would be spending Independence behind bars.
He is accused of raping the complainant, a Standard 7 pupil set to sit her PSLE next month, on 15 September.
It was later that same day that the mother spotted her daughter’s discomfort, calling the police immediately after hearing what her child had to say.
The youngster was then taken to Nyangabgwe Hospital, where she remained for two nights and was eventually discharged on 17 September.
Moloi, meanwhile, was arrested two days later.
In his failed bid for freedom, the builder built his case on issues of finance and health.
“I left many houses incomplete and my clothes all over: some are at Tonota, some Mathangwane. My other customer was supposed to pay me P5, 000 on the 24th so I pray you give me a week to collect my things. I am also on medication which I did not take with me so I plead that I be assisted to get my medication,” said the suspect.
However, Moloi was told police officers would retrieve his belongings for him, while he would be staying in the slammer for at least the next four weeks – not quite the ‘medicine’ he had been hoping for! He is due back in court for mention on 18 October.
