RESIDENTS WANT RAPE SUSPECT BANISHED

By Masilo Malakwane

QWAQWA – Angry residents of Tebang have reiterated their call for the banishment of a suspected rapist who allegedly abducted 11-year old girl and raped her multiple times.

The call came during a community meeting that was on held on Wednesday, 11 August.

According to the girl’s parent, whose identity is being withheld to protect the victim’s identity, the girl was on her way to her grandmother’s house a fortnight ago when she was allegedly abducted by the suspect.

 “I’ve tried without success to seek help from the Makwane police station”.

The parent also revealed that the victim was abused sexually.

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Mophiring confirmed the incident and the suspect’s name as Mojalefa Moopelwa, a murder parolee “

Moopelwa has appeared briefly at Makwane Magistrate court on 10 August on a rape charge.

Mophiring also commended neighbourhood patrollers for assisting to make the arrest. Moopelwa will remain in custody until his next court appearance.

Ward Councillor Hlabathi Dlamini supported the community’s call for the accused not to return to the community.

“We will support the family until justice is done, “said Dlamini.

One concern residents, who also spoke on condition of anonymity told the Guard that  she made an effort to call a community meeting to elect a committee that will be directly responsible for crime prevention in the area.

One of the community patrollers, Radebe Mofokeng, said:

“You will never hear of any crime happening where we patrol, because we are determined to root out such incidents from our area,” he said.

Mayor Masetjaba Mosia-Lakaje of Maluti a Phofung also formed part of the meeting held on Wednesday. She said she was saddened by the statement made by the suspect at the time of his arrest that rape was a common thing in the country.

“We urge residents to work together with the police to help combat crime,” pleaded the Mayor.