Serial rape suspect arrested
Maun female residents are breathing a sigh of relief following the arrest of suspect Gomolemo Kagwa, dubbed the Thamalakane river bank serial rapist.
Before his arrest last week, women in the community would think twice whenever they had to use the riverbank route, because the suspect was allegedly lurking along the river bank from behind Riley’s Hotel to Maun Senior Secondary School.
Several rape cases reported by both the young and old were recorded from this area, according to Maun Police Station Commander Superintendent Dennis Zilawe.
Zilawe confirmed to The Midweek Sun that while investigations are still ongoing, all incidents point to the 22-year-old suspect. “So far, there are four cases that have been detected of which he is a suspect,” he said, adding that they are investigating more cases that have been reported against him.
He confirmed that Police have also retrieved two phones from him which belonged to some of the victims. Kagwa appeared in court on Friday and was remanded for 14 days. He is expected to appear again at in court on May 22. According to Zilawe, they have so far recorded 46 rape cases in Maun between January and April.
“In January, we recorded 10 cases, while we recorded 15 in February, 13 in March and eight in April,” he said, explaining that they are still investigating other four cases of rape by an unknown suspect from April. A resident of Maun, Mandela Siku told this publication that it is such a relief that the suspected serial rapist has been arrested. “We have always wished for this day to come, because people have been living in fear for a very long time. Worst scenario is for students who cannot afford transport fare. “Their lives have been threatened by this rapist for so long and some would probably even miss school as a result of the fear that gripped them when they thought of using the notorious route,” she said. Zilawe also said that although it could be a relief for the residents of Maun, they should however continue to be vigilant and take care of themselves.