Maseru, Aug. 5 — The President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), Mr. Tumo Tsanyane, has appealed to the government to install Apollo street lights in villages surrounding the university following the rape of a female student at her off-campus residence.
The appeal comes after a student was allegedly raped on Tuesday night at her rented accommodation at Hata-Butle, near the university.
According to Mr. Tsanyane, the student was with her boyfriend when an unidentified man allegedly forced his way into the house and threatened the couple with a firearm.
He said the victim pleaded with the suspect not to shoot them and offered him M500 from her M-Pesa wallet. The suspect then ordered the boyfriend to leave the house and withdraw the money.
“When the boyfriend returned, he discovered that the suspect had allegedly raped his girlfriend,” said Mr. Tsanyane.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene after the attack.
Mr. Tsanyane said the incident was reported to the Roma Police Station and that the university has arranged counselling services for the victim.
Mr. Tsanyane said the incident highlights the growing security concerns facing students living off campus and stressed that improved street lighting in surrounding communities could help deter criminal activity and enhance public safety.
Police Constable Peter Pokothoane of Roma Police Station confirmed that a rape case had been reported. He said no arrests have been made so far, adding that police investigations are underway.
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