Pascalinah Kabi
A MAFETENG man suspected of raping seven Patlong High School learners at gunpoint in the wee hours of last Monday in Qacha’s Nek is still on the run, police have said.
According to police spokesperson Superintendent Clifford Molefe the suspect and two co-accused allegedly raped seven underage girls after breaking and entering the school. He said the other two suspects, also from Mafeteng, were killed by an angry mob after being found sleeping in a donga.
“The three suspects forcefully entered a room in which the girls were sleeping at Patlong Primary School. The suspects allegedly pointed a gun at the girls while also brandishing knives,” Superintendent Molefe said.
“The suspects ordered the girls to step out of the room one by one and raped them at gunpoint. They also stole the girls’ belongings and fled the crime scene at around 2am on Monday morning.”
He added: “After fleeing the school, the three suspects — aged between 22 and 23 years — tried to break into a shop in Qacha’s Nek but were stopped by members of the public. They ended up running away.
“Members of the public caught the trio sleeping between Senqu and Semonkong and chased them. Two of them were caught and killed by the mob while the third one managed to escape. Investigations are ongoing.”
The seven rape victims were admitted at Machabeng Government Hospital in Qacha’s Nek and received post-exposure prophylaxis medication to prevent HIV infection within three days after possible exposure.