Thursday 08th May 2025
A 37-YEAR-old man was arrested and in police custody over a rape and wounding of a young woman on Monday 03rd March 2025 at Sigabaduru village in the Western province.
South Fly Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent, Gideon Kauke confirmed that the suspect was married with two children and was from Sigabaduru village in the South Fly District, Western province.
PPC Kauke said the Daru police apprehended the suspect after they conducted a dawn raid at Sigabaduru village on Wednesday 30th April 2025 when the incident was reported to the police. He was then taken to the Daru police station that day.
Police alleged that on Monday 03rd March during midday, a young woman (name withheld) was forcefully sexually penetrated after being threatened by her stepfather (suspect) who is married to her (victim’s) mother for almost 14 years.
It was alleged that after the suspect raped the victim, she escaped from bushes out to the main track to reach the village, but the suspect followed the victim and chopped her three times using his one-meter log machete.
PPC Kauke said the victim sustained serious injuries and she was rushed to Saibai Island for medical assistance that evening. The victim was later stabilized and medevac to Cairns in Australia for further medical assistance.
Superintendent, Kauke confirmed that the suspect also threatened to kill his wife and stepchildren from her previous marriage after the incident. The suspect also threatened to kill the immediate family members of his wife which triggered them to flee the village and seek refuge in Saibai Island, Australia.
PPC Kauke said the reason was that the suspect forcefully threatened to marry the victim but upon an unsuccessful attempt he resorted to violence.
PPC Kauke however said that the Daru Transnational Crime Unit is leading the role to conduct enquiries into the incident that triggered constituents of Sigabaduru village on the Papua New Guinea side to seek refuge in Saibai Island, Australia that raises security concerns on both countries.
“We are currently investigating the two separate incidents of rape and wounding occurred in Sigabaduru village caused by the suspect who is now in police custody whilst the victim is currently in Cairns, Australia seeking medical assistance.
“We are now collecting statements, medical reports forensic examination report, affidavits of medical practitioner (rape matter) and any other information that deems helpful for the investigation” PPC Kauke said.
Mr Kauke said that information would assist enormously in their investigation and prosecution of the suspect through their counterparts in the Australian Law Enforcement, the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police.
PPC said the suspect must be dealt with in the court of law to deter other likeminded potential youths from further engagement in such illegal activities. PPC Kauke thanked Daru Transnational Crimes Unit officers for providing effective leadership and successfully producing results.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) South Fly, Superintendent Gideon Kauke