Qacha’s Nek __ Mosiuoa Tale (56) of Ha Mphahama has been jailed after failing to pay M1,000 bail for allegedly sexually assaulting a 69-year-old woman.

Tale appeared briefly before Magistrate Ponts’o Janki at the Qacha’s Nek Magistrate Court on Tuesday, charged under Section 3 (1), read with Section 32, of the Sexual Offenses Act No. 3 of 2003.

The court heard that in December 2024, Tale unlawfully kissed the complainant and touched her breasts without her consent under coercive circumstances.

While Senior Crown Counsel Advocate Tsotang Maile did not oppose the bail application, the complainant strongly objected, citing fear and a lack of trust in the accused.

Despite this, Magistrate Janki granted bail under strict conditions, including payment of M1,000, non-interference with witnesses or police investigations, and attendance at all court proceedings.

However, Tale was remanded in custody after failing to meet the bail requirements. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 21, 2025.

This case underscores a disturbing trend in Qacha’s Nek, where sexual offenses are on the rise. In November 2024, the district’s Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) recorded six sexual offense cases.

Additionally, statistics from the Qacha’s Nek Correctional Facility revealed that 85 percent of inmates in the same month were accused or convicted of sexual crimes.

In December, Senior Magistrate Ts’eliso Bale delivered judgments in four sexual offense cases, one of which involved teenage perpetrators.

The growing number of incidents highlights an urgent need for community intervention and systemic action to combat this epidemic.