Man rapes mentally challenged woman

An aunt searching desperately for her 20 year-old mentally challenged niece, saw a man fleeing from a neighbouring house and vanishing into the bush in Ditshegwane village, near Molepolole.

As she walked towards the house, her niece emerged from a nearby home and confessed that she had been sleeping with the boyfriend. She admitted that this had happened multiple times and that they would regularly meet for sex.

The aunt did not hesitate to report the matter to the police after learning that the accused was wanted in connection with a different rape case.

Assistant Superintendent Lekopanye Molwantwa confirmed the incident to The Midweek Sun, stating that they are investigating and have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

'We urge parents to look after mentally challenged children. Fortunately, the woman provided us with his name, and we have identified him as the individual we have been looking for in relation to a rape case,' Molwantwa said.

Section 148 of the Penal Code, makes it an offence to engage in sexual intercourse with a person classified as an 'idiot' or 'imbecile,' regardless of their consent.

Molwantwa advised people to control their sexual urges when around mentally challenged individuals, warning that engaging in sexual acts with them is a crime that carries a severe prison sentence.

'The cases are a concern in my policing area, but they are not out of control. I encourage everyone to make it a habit to regularly check on their relatives that suffer from developmental disability,' he said.