Qacha’s Nek, April 24 — Taole Sehlabo (39) of Ha ‘Manteko has been freed on M300 bail.
He was charged with contravention of Section 3 (1) 32 (lll) of Sexual offenses Act, 2003 by alledgedly brushing a 18 year-old girl’s breasts in an attempt to rape her on April 9, 2024.
Senior Magistrate Ts’eliso Bale of the Qacha’s Nek magistrate court granted him bail on conditions that he pays the bail deposit, does not interfere with state witnesses, does not hamper police investigations, attend remands and stand trial to finality.
Just last week, the district’s Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) office revealed that in February 2024, Qacha’s Nek police had recorded five sexual assault cases and the number increased to 11 in March.
From April 1st to date, they have registered five cases.
Speaking to the Agency last Thursday, the district’s CGPU Manager Sub Inspector ‘Maphutheho Mongali revealed that sexual offenses cases are overwhelming them.
“Currently, children as young as three years are victims,” she said, disclosing that despite their efforts to be proactive, sexual offense remains a major challenge in the district.
“This is taking a toll on us and it has to stop,” she said.
She appealed to the public to attend public gatherings so as to learn about criminal offenses and how they can prevent and avoid them.
Reports show that Lesotho has the third highest sexual rape against girls and women per capita in the world and 44 percent of those in prison are sexual offenders and in some districts that number rises to almost 70 percent.
