Villagers beat rape suspect to death

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
CENTRAL police have confirmed the death of a rape suspect at Port Moresby General Hospital after he was bashed up by angry villagers at Kwikila in Rigo.
Provincial police commander Sibron Papoto told The National that Marava Haro, 25, from Sabuia village in Central was wanted by police over a string of rape cases in his village.
He said that at 9.30am on April 8, Haro went into the Sabuia Primary School and allegedly tried to rape a female teacher in the night.
Papoto said she was fast asleep when the suspect went to her house, removed louvre blades from a window and went into the room.
“As he switched off the light and was trying to rape this teacher, she called out for help,” Papoto said.
He said members of the community heard her call, came out, caught the suspect and beat him up.
“They then brought him to Kwikila Police Station,” he said.
“Police documented a report about the attempted rape and he was brought to the nearest hospital at Kwikila.”
Papoto said because of the seriousness of Haro’s injuries, he was referred to Port Moresby General where he died in the intensive care unit last Saturday.