Makanga rape 

A 26-year-old Zambian man, Mayumbelo Maiba, entered a not guilty plea on Monday when he made his first appearance in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court following his arrest over the alleged rape of a minor. The rape incident allegedly took place in the Makanga area of the Linyanti Constituency in the Zambezi region on Friday.

The Namibian Police Force’s (NamPol) charge sheet alleges that Maiba raped a two-year-old girl.

His rights were explained to him by Magistrate Laina Ndakola Namboga, along with options for legal representation.

He then pleaded not guilty and opted to represent himself.

Public Prosecutor Sylvious Malange advised the accused to seek legal representation, as he faces a serious offence that is likely to be transferred to a higher court of law.

The matter was postponed to 30 April 2026 for further police investigations, while Maiba is remanded in custody. In a separate but similar case, the Ngoma Periodic Court on Monday postponed a rape case involving a 26-year-old suspect, Imenda Silimbani, to 8 June 2026 to allow for further investigations. The matter, presided over by Magistrate Davy Kambinda, relates to allegations that Silimbani unlawfully and intentionally had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old minor. The incident reportedly occurred two weeks ago at Kasenu village in the Kabbe South constituency.

Silimbani, who indicated that he intends to conduct his own defence, was remanded in custody at the Ngoma Police holding cells pending any formal bail application.

The State opposed the granting of bail, citing concerns that the accused may interfere with witnesses. 

It further argued that releasing him at this stage would not be in the interest of the administration of justice, given the seriousness of the offence. Cedric Mundia appeared for the State.

Muchekai 

Additionally, NamPol arrested a 34-year-old male resident of Komando Compound at Kongola on Friday after he allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl from Muchekai village in the Zambezi region.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
NamPol’s incident report provided to Nampa on Sunday states that the suspect pulled the victim from the road while she was walking back home from an evening show with her friends.

“The suspect took the victim to his room and forced her to have sexual intercourse,” the NamPol report said. The girl’s mother reported the incident to the police.

In a separate but similar incident, NamPol registered another rape case that took place around 21h00 on Friday at Lisikili in the Kabbe North constituency. It is alleged that the suspect had sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl without her consent after pulling her into the bushes along the Lisikili road while she was on her way home.

“The victim screamed – and as a result, she was rescued by one of her friends. The suspect fled the scene,” the report said.

The girl was taken to hospital for medical treatment. The suspect is known to the police but has not yet been apprehended. Police investigations in both incidents continue. -Nampa