GRANDPA (64) ACCUSED OF RAPING GIRLS AGED 4,6,7
AS statistics of violence against children continue to rise, Broadhurst Chief Magistrate Linah Oahile-mokibe, this week presided over a case in which a 64-year-old man is facing three counts of rape against three minors.
At the time of the incident the minors were aged 4, 6 and 7 respectively.
According to the charge sheet, the incident took place in 2011 at Naledi ward in Gabane.
It was, however, only registered with the courts in 2017. So far, only three witnesses have taken the stand, while key witnesses continue to display a reluctance to testify, delaying the case in the process.
Facts of the matter are that the accused was a friendly and trusted neighbour to the three minor children.
It is reported that on the fateful day the accused lured the three minor children to his home where he then allegedly raped all three of them.
According to the older minor (the 7-year-old), the old man then instructed them not to tell anyone about what he had done to them.
However, a few days later, one of the parents noticed bruises and unfamiliar discharges from the youngest child’s vagina and reported the matter to the police,
The man is currently out on bail as the case continues.
Meanwhile, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has announced that Botswana would soon have a sex offenders registry.
The registry will allow the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts to have an additional official document called Form 7 that will contain relevant details about the offender, who, immediately upon conviction, shall be registered by the social worker handling the case.
Details about the child abuser shall relate to his/ her conviction record, places where the offence(s) occurred, place of residence and work, occupation, next of kin and relationship with victim. Once he or she has filled out Form 7, the social worker shall send it to the Director responsible for children’s affairs for updating.
Registered child abusers may have their names removed from the register by applying to the Director in writing after 10 years from the date of conviction, having received and responded well to a defined therapeutic treatment from a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. Having treated the child abuser, any of the latter professionals shall complete a detailed report of the progress and response to treatment of the applicant.