School rapist sentenced to 10 years
Rape is a repulsive crime - Magisteate Thedi
Kabelo Leboro was yesterday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Village Magistrate, Tshepo Thedi, for the rape of a student, eight years ago at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School. Leboro, who at the time was employed as a temporary lab assistant at the school, had pleaded not guilty on a single count of rape contrary to Section 141 of the Penal Code. Particulars presented before court indicate that on or about 31 October 2014 at Mogoditshane Secondary School, Leboro, without lawful excuse had carnal knowledge of the student without her consent. Court heard that on the fateful day, the student, who was doing Form five at the time had written her social studies examinations, and was thereafter joined by her male friend so that they would study together.
Leboro reportedly found them together and accused them of having an affair. He reportedly also accused the male friend of having put his hand under the victim’s skirt, a claim they both denied. Leboro apparently directed them to go to the art room, and when they got there, he asked the male friend to enter alone for ‘interrogation.’
After a few minutes, he let him go and asked the victim to enter the store room. She testified that Leboro threatened her and said he would report them for engaging in fornical activities if she did not give him P500. He reportedly then changed tune and when she attempted to leave, he pounced on her from behind, pinned her against the wall and covered her mouth so that she could not scream, before raping her.
Court also heard that after the traumatising experience, the victim went outside but found her male friend gone. She hurried to the examination room for her next paper, but was said to have been in shock and broke down crying; could barely speak when concerned classmates asked her what was wrong. She is said to have borrowed the phone of a classmate to call her aunt and uncle, and when she got home, she told them what had happened. The matter was reported to the police and after examination at Princess Marina Hospital, it was confirmed that sexual activity had taken place as her hymen was broken and she had traces of semen, among other findings. When handing down the sentence, Village Magistrate Tshepo Thedi said rape is a repulsive crime. “It is an invasion of the most private and intimate zone of a woman, and strikes at the core of her personhood and dignity. Women in Botswana have a legitimate claim to walk peacefully on streets and to enjoy peace and tranquility publicly and in their homes without any fear, apprehension and insecurity that constantly diminishes the quality and enjoyment of their lives,” she said. Thedi further noted that the rape had evidently had a traumatic impact on the victim, who several witnesses attested she had dramatically changed since the incident. “It has been established that since the incident, the complainant has been depressed; she is always alone and sad, which is evidence of psychological injury caused on her by the rape. There are also indications that this psychocological distress and trauma had a factor in the complainant failing her BGCSE examinations, as she was distressed and couldn’t focus on her studies.”