- the 27-year-old accused has since been remanded
A 27-year-old police officer based at the Maun Police Station has been dragged before the Maun Magistrate’s Court accused of raping his 14-year-old cousin.
The incident is reported to have occurred on the 17th January 2025 at Boseja Ward where both the accused stays together in an extended family set up. The accused person who is facing a single count of rape is said to the complainant’s cousin and the latter’s parents are said to be late.
It is said that on the evening of that fateful day while the victim was sleeping in her room the accused person came in and got on top of the complainant. The accused person is alleged to have then proceeded and undressed the victim’s under wear and had canal knowledge without using protection and without her consent.
It is alleged that while the accused was raping the complainant she then pushed him off and ran out of the room to their neighbours.
Following the incident, the victim is said to have kept the issue to herself and only reported it to her aunt on the 19th January 2025, when it was later reported to Maun Police Station leading to the accused person’s arrest.
Appearing before Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefi on Wednesday, state prosecutor, Setsile Tshukudu pleaded for the accused person to be remanded in custody arguing that the complainant is a minor and also an orphan who is being taken care of by her grandmother.
She further argued that the accused person is the complainant’s cousin therefore if released he may interfere with police investigations as they stay in the same yard with the victim who is also a key witness in the case.
Tshukudu further indicated that the matter is still fresh and prosecution need more time to wrap up investigations and also collect statements. She further informed court that they are awaiting results from samples collected from the victim for further investigations.
Magistrate Molefi subsequently remanded the accused person and he will appear in court again next week Friday for status update.
