Serial rapist on the loose in S/Phikwe

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Wednesday January 9, 2013 00:00

Selebi-Phikwe Police Station Commander Superintendent Victor Nlebesi  has appealed to women in the mining town to keep away from secluded places and walking unaccompanied.

He revealed that all the victims offered the same description of the perpetrator.  Nlebesi assured that going by the leads from victims, they will soon arrest the sexual attacker. He noted that the assailant strikes from all corners of the town. He highlighted that the victims are largely youthful and regretted the possibility that some of the cases might have gone unreported.  He said all the incidents happened at night. In some instances victims were dragged into nearby bushes.

Meanwhile, Nlebesi's station registered a two percent decrease in defilement cases in 2012.  'Men continue to turn a blind eye and date minors,' he said. He regretted that such cases never see the light of day before the courts of law because parents choose to accept bribery and fail to support the police in their investigations.

In other news, Selebi-Phikwe police registered a decrease in traffic offences and recorded one fatal accident during the festive season.  There were also no traffic accidents caused by roaming animals during the past festive season.

Nlebesi said a team of officers was dispatched to chase animals away from the roads. 'I appeal to stakeholders and volunteers who can join hands with us in chasing animals away from the roads so that the police can also put more effort in their policing duties. A joint effort will make our roads a lot safer,' he added.

In another report, the police yesterday destroyed hundreds of pirated CDs and DVDs that were confiscated during regular raids around the town.  The police have since installed a permanent stall in town to keep an eye on the illegal sale of counterfeit CDs and DVDs, Nlebesi disclosed.

Twenty-two cases of piracy were reported in 2010 and the number reduced to 14 in 2011 and only nine at the end of 2012.  Nlebesi said the majority of the culprits are foreigners.