WINDHOEK – Yesterday a woman accused of selling children into prostitution breastfed her infant while standing in the dock during a pre-trial appearance, in full view of all present in the court, including Judge President Petrus Damaseb.
The woman, Johanna Lukas, casually whipped out her breast and suckled her baby, while standing right in front of Damaseb, alongside her fellow accused in the case Gwen Nelwembe. Lukas’ action prompted an enquiry of concern from Damaseb, who momentarily acted for the defence and asked the prosecution team led by State Advocate Innocentia Nyoni, whether it is not possible to have bail arranged for Lukas and Nelwembe. The court was packed with lawyers, spectators and the accused. Lukas was pregnant when arrested earlier this year and her child was born in custody. The two accused remain in custody and are yet to be assigned a lawyer by the State Legal Aid department.
Nyoni however told the judge that the State would “strenuously object to bail” since all the complainants in the case are minors and related to the accused in one way or another.
Lukas and Nelwembe face various charges of trafficking in persons, soliciting or enticing a minor to the commission of a sexual or an indecent or immoral act and rape on various occasions. It is alleged that Lukas and Nelwembe offered the minor girls up for sale to a Swakopmund resident during April, May and June for sex under coercive circumstances, despite the fact that they were exceptionally vulnerable due to their ages. Damaseb postponed the case to September 27 for the accused to obtain legal aid and remanded Lukas and Nelwembe in jail.
By Roland Routh