Tension grows over 13-year-old girl’s rape

By ELIAS LARI
COMMUNITY tension is growing in Mendi after police arrested and charged a couple who treated a 13-year-old girl as a prostitute, paying her K50 or K100 and forcing her into a threesome, molesting and raping her five times since last August.
“Cool down. Let us handle the case and let the law take its course,” Southern Highlands commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari reminded communities yesterday.
He warned communities, especially relatives of the girl and the couple, to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“Be law-abiding citizens (and) don’t let opportunists to disturb peaceful communities,” he said, warning that police would take appropriate and swift action against anyone who exploited the “rising temperatures” for their own selfish gain.
He said such cases (rape) needed to be pursued and the guilty must be punished by the law.
“Some crimes are listed as very serious and unacceptable, and this is one such case,” he added.
Chief Supt Lakari said many children and women had become victims of sex predators but “they remained silent because of fear or shame”.
“The law is there to deal with anyone who disturb or use bully tactics to threaten others into submission.
“Handling such matters outside the court or police must not be entertained.
“We will not get anything good out of such court matters.
“If anyone is doing such, report to us and we will know what to do,” he added. Chief Supt Lakari said a peace mediation team and the system of using community leaders should now be considered as a second priority to help ease tensions and resolve whatever problems.
“Relatives of the girl who are upset and feeling the pain must set an example to allow the police and courts to deal with the case,” he said.
“Do away with the compensation mentality.”
“For this couple, they must face tough penalties because their actions were totally senseless and they should face the full brunt of the law.”