Rapist dies after assault

A convicted serial rapist who had escaped from Bihute prison died at the Goroka police station a few hours after he was beaten by relatives of a female child he had assaulted.
The deceased, identified as Hetane Toto, in his 30s, from Kama, on the outskirts of Goroka town, escaped while serving a 23-year jail term for a string of sexual offences.
Last Friday, Toto was caught sexually assaulting a minor at Lopi, on the western end of Goroka town. He was set upon by the girl’s relatives and people of the area who assaulted him before taking him to the police station.
Goroka Urban local level government ward five councillor Martin Wilson, who was the last person to see him alive, said Toto was coughing blood and unable to sit up shortly before he died.
Wilson said police could not be blamed for the death because the deceased appeared to be dead when he was brought into the police station.
His body was taken to Goroka Base Hospital morgue.
Soon after Toto’s death, his relatives retaliated and are believed to be holding as hostages two from the group who had assaulted Toto.
Provincial police commander Augustine Wampe condemned the violence and has sent his officers to investigate.
Wampe said Goroka was a municipal township where business and other government activities were established.
He said crimes such as rape, murder, robberies and ethnic retaliations should be discouraged.