Top Limpopo official goes to court for rape

The suspect also opened counter case of extortion

A popular Limpopo government senior official will today appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court for rape.

It is alleged that the incident took place in one of the lodges in Polokwane on Friday night.

According to a source close to the investigation, the official was in the company of three women including the alleged victim when the alleged rape happened.

“It is alleged that the official was engaged in a group sexual encounter with the three women. On Saturday morning, the complaint, a Botswana national, went to the police to open a rape case alleging it [sex] was not consensual,” said the source.

Another source said the official also opened a counter case of extortion against the woman. It is alleged that after the sexual encounter, the woman demanded R200 000 for her services, which the official did not have. She then allegedly went to the police station and opened the case.

The two South African women [who were allegedly part of the orgy] have deposed their statements, allegedly claiming that the sex was consensual, said a source.

Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said both the official and woman will appear in court today for rape and extortion respectively.

“The pair is detained in police custody and our investigations to establish what happened are continuing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabatha yesterday said he was concerned about rape allegations levelled against the senior official in his office.

“We call on all to give us space to get to the bottom of these allegations which are serious in nature, but also to understand that a person is innocent until proven guilty,” said Mathabatha.

Sowetan understands that the alleged rape victim is in Limpopo as part of the support staff of her country’s soccer team in the Cosafa Cup tournament the province is currently hosting.

The official’s lawyer, Jerry Koma, said the victim’s case was very weak.

“I’m certain that my client is not guilty and will get a bail on Monday. If it was rape why did the other women not open cases ... they are even surprised at what their friend is doing,” Koma said yesterday.

Koma also accused certain senior Limpopo politicians of involving themselves in the case to make sure his client is jailed for something he didn’t do.

“We have heard that some MECs were calling high-ranking police officials and prosecutors to make sure my client is arrested,” he said.