Third suspect implicated in 10-year-old’s rape

FATHER AND SON: Kgangyame (seated) and Disele (NB PLEASE USE BOTH PICS IF POSSIBLE!)

-Teen, 13, questioned by social workers

-Father and son accused of rape bailed

The case in which a Thamaga man and his adult son are accused of raping a 10-year-old girl took another dark twist this week.

It is now suspected the girl was also raped by a 13-year-old neighbour in Thamaga’s Kgosing-Boseja ward.

In a brief interview with The Voice, Thamaga Station Commander, Moses Kwarare, explained that since the suspect is juvenile police have engaged social workers to assist with investigations.

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“We are still waiting for their report,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, 59-year-old Thepa Kgangyame and his son, Gideon Disele, 25, appeared before Molepolole Magistrates Court on Monday and were granted bail.

The duo, who are distant relatives of the young complainant, is alleged to have forcefully had sex with the Standard Two pupil between 20 – 23 August in separate incidents.

The girl’s mother, who works in Ghanzi, had been away at the time of the suspected rapes and only returned home on Sunday 23 August.

Upon the mother’s return, the little girl is believed to have confided her ordeal but the mum reportedly put it down to a misunderstanding and thought nothing more of it.

However, four days later (27 August), it is said she realised the matter was serious when she noticed her daughter was having difficulty walking.

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Apparently her fears were further piqued when washing her daughter’s clothes she found bloodstains on the girl’s underwear. She questioned the girl again and her daughter allegedly repeated her claims that the two men had sexually molested her.

During their arraignment on 31 August, the suspects told the court this was the third time the complainant’s mum had accused them of raping her daughter.

Magistrate Kefilwe Resheng then ordered the prosecution to thoroughly investigate these claims.

Updating court during Monday’s mention, the Investigating Officer (IO), Detective Constable, Baetsi Pheko, insisted no previous rape cases against the duo had been reported to their office.

“The investigations are almost complete. We are hopeful to get the results from the forensic laboratory very soon. We have moved the victim and her mother to Kagisano Center in Gaborone,” continued Pheko, who did not argue with the accused being granted bail.

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The IO further told the court they are yet to record the young girl’s statement.

“She is still receiving counselling and has already undergone two sessions. We expect to hear the way forward from her counsellor on Thursday.”

When given the chance to address the court, Kgangyame stood by his earlier words.

He maintained he has proof that sometime in 2017, after the victim’s mother reported him for raping her daughter, police took him to hospital for an HIV test and the results came back negative.

“I called the parents to reprimand her. On the second time after she reported, her uncle lashed her and she later reported an assault case to the police. I do not know why the Investigating Officer said there is no proof because it’s even there before the Customary Court!” said Kgangyame.

Backing up his dad, Disele claimed the old man was detained for three days in one of the earlier cases.

“If I get released on bail, I could get names for the two police officers who know about the case, maybe they are the ones who handled it,” stated Disele.

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He will get his chance as father and son were granted conditional bail to the sum of P1, 500 each, with both having to provide two sureties binding themselves to the same amount.

They were also ordered not to come within 100km of the complainant and not to contact her or her mother. The duo must also report to Thamaga police station fortnightly.

The two men are due back in court for mention on 13 October.

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