Dukwi Junior Secondary School boarding master charged with a single count of sexually assaulting a student may find himself facing more than one count after 23 school boys have come forward alleging that they were also sexually abused.
This development was disclosed recently before Nata Magistrate Court, during a status hearing for Michael Otukile who is accused to have sexually assaulted a student at the same school in March this year.
According to Prosecutor Makgoa investigations into the matter are almost complete, as police have managed to record statements from 23 complainants. Makgoa revealed that most of the victims are boys aged between the ages of 12 and 16 years
The prosecutor is hopeful that all the investigations will be completed in the next court appearance.
“We are likely to add more charges against the accused. He is likely to face multiple charges of sexual assault and indecent behavior.”
Otukile who has been behind bars for the past two months, is fighting tooth and nail to be granted bail, as his appeal is before Francistown High Court. The accused is said to hear the determination of his appeal for bail next week Thursday, before Judge Tshegofatso Mogomotsi.
Nata Magistrate Court denied Otukile bail on the basis that his release would endanger him, as tensions in Dukwi and other villages were escalating and also for fear he who victimize the victims. According to a Social Worker, Keemo April the victims were still traumatized and had only undergone one out of the six counselling sessions. April said releasing Otukile would therefore not be ideal at the moment.
The school boys who have decided to break their silence and seek justice are said to have been sexually assaulted by the boarding master from 2023 till March this year.
The 57-year-old Otukile was arrested after a concerned parent opened a can of worms on the man’s ghastly deeds and reported a case sexual abuse to the police. The boarding master returns to Nata Magistrate Court on the 10th June.
