WINDHOEK – The trial of Epafraditus Ndokotora Unengu, the son of acting Judge of the High Court Petrus Unengu, is scheduled to start in January next year before Judge Christie Liebenberg, it was announced by Judge President Petrus Damaseb on Thursday last week.
The Judge President said Judge Liebenberg who normally presides at the Oshakati High Court would hear the matter starting January 19, 2015 until February 02, 2015. Sisa Namandje will represent Unengu with Advocate Innocencia Nyoni representing the state. Unengu is facing three counts of attempted murder and two counts of rape. It is alleged in the first count that he strangled the complainant, who may not be identified for ethical reasons, with intent to murder her whereafter he raped her at Makambu village on July 09, 2011. It is further alleged that following the rape Unengu assaulted the complainant by hitting her with his fists and putting soil into her mouth with the intent to murder her.
It is further alleged that on November 06, 2012 Unengu assaulted another young woman in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area. It is alleged that Unengu raped the complainant, while he was a taxi driver, and strangled her afterwards. According to the summary of substantial facts the complainant in the first instance was at Nkurenkuru looking for transport to take her home. She approached Unengu who agreed to transport her for a fee of N$20. After failing to take the complainant home until late in the evening he apparently ran out of fuel. He then grabbed her by the neck and throttled her, the indictment reads. After that he allegedly undressed the complainant and raped her. He then proceeded to assault the complainant and poured soil into her mouth. He was granted bail of N$10 000 for that matter in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court.
It is further alleged that after his release on bail, Unengu who is employed by the Roads Authority as an engineer returned to Windhoek. On November 06, he allegedly drove a taxi, which the second complainant boarded to Northern Industria. After dropping off the other passengers in the car he proceeded to the Northern Industrial Area with the complainant it is alleged. On the way he turned onto a gravel road and informed the complainant that he wanted to relieve himself, according to the indictment. It is further stated that after he stopped the car he went to where the complainant was and opened the door. When the complainant tried to get away he grabbed her by the throat and strangled her, the indictment reads. Unengu then proceeded to forcibly have sexual intercourse with the complainant, it is alleged. The complainant managed to get away when another vehicle approached, it is further alleged.
By Roland Routh