The trial of a 21-year-old man from Maseipei cattle post near Bodibeng village who is accused of raping his 21-year-old cousin has been set for May 5-6th next year.
Currently out on bail, the accused is facing one count of rape of allegedly engaging in non-consensual intercourse with the complainant on January 10th, 2021. The accused was reportedly 18 years at the time of the alleged offense.
Appearing before Maun Magistrate Gofaone Mosweu this week to confirm trial dates, the accused revealed his intention to engage an attorney for the trial. He therefore requested for a postponement of the trial in order for him to secure legal representation. Magistrate Mosweu however declined arguing that five months would be sufficient for the accused to find an attorney. The state prosecutor confirmed the trial dates as suitable.
In his previous court mention, the accused claimed that the complainant of the same cattle post had consented to the encounter adding that he has no witnesses as they were alone in the bush.
According to court records, the incident allegedly occurred when the complainant’s mother sent her to gather firewood in a nearby bush. Whilst there, the complainant is said to have heard someone calling her name only for the accused to thereafter appear from nowhere, referencing past interactions. When the complainant tried to flee he allegedly restrained her from doing so, covered her mouth and removed her underwear before assaulting her.
Following the incident, the complainant notified her mother who then reported the matter to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested and questioned but denied the allegations. Both individuals were interviewed with the complainant maintaining that the encounter was non-consensual.
Chief Magistrate Thebeetsile Mulalu who was initially presiding over the case previously indicated that DNA evidence that was based on genital swabs from the complainant indicated the presence of the accused’s DNA suggesting intercourse had occurred. The accused is set to appear on May 5, 2025, for the start of the trial scheduled to be completed the following day.
