A man accused of raping his ex-girlfriend back in 2017 claims the complainant demanded P100, 000 pay from him to withdraw the case before a Molepolole Magistrates’ Court.
During continuation of trial this week Monday, Ofentse Kabelo, 27, of Molepolole, Ntloolengwae ward maintained his innocence and told the court that they had consensual sex as usual as they were lovers.
“I had sex with her inside my brother’s car because we had agreed and she later requested me to give her P3000. When I told her that I didn’t have any money she cursed me and swore to punish me. Later while I was still appearing for mentions she phoned me again asking me if I preferred to rot in jail than paying her. When I asked her the amount she needed she told me she wanted P100, 000 and I told her that God will see me through,” Kabelo told court.
He further said he had been with the complainant entertainment themselves during traditional choirs competitions at Sokwane lands where they spent time together till 4 am.
“She asked to relax with me and we sat inside the car and drank some alcohol. We expressed our affection for each other and we became intimate, one thing leading to the other till we had sex. After we finished she returned to her friends and I left her and went home with my brother who was travelling to Gaborone. Later while I was asleep the police came home to arrest me,” Kabelo told the court.
The investigating officer, Detective Constable Thabiso Olerile, disputed Kabelo’s evidence saying it was an afterthought as during confrontation following his arrest, he admitted to have assaulted and threatened to stab the victim with a knife before raping her.
Kabelo however claimed he made the admission under duress as the police had threatened to torture him if he did not agree on the charge.
Meanwhile, Forensic Scientist Billy Sethato confirmed to the court that in conclusion of the tests, the accused’s DNA was found mixed with the victim’s DNA profile, which meant the accused could not be excluded from being the suspect.
Kabelo is said to have raped his ex-girlfriend at knife point on January 28th, 2017 after she asked him to accompany her to relieve herself.
That was when he allegedly pushed her to the ground and also strangled her before raping her. Trial is set for continuation on June 6th, 2023.
