KATIMA MULILO – With gender-based violence on the increase the barbaric gang rape of a Peace Corps volunteer at Katima Mulilo over the weekend has sent shockwaves through the town.
A 25-year-old woman was gang-raped by three men in the early hours of Saturday morning in Katima Mulilo in what is described as one of the most horrific rape crimes to take place in Katima Mulilo in recent years.
The woman had to be hospitalised due to the nature of the injuries sustained during the sexual assault. Although details are still sketchy, it is alleged the woman (who cannot be named to protect her identity) was walking with a male friend from a club when they were approached by three heavily intoxicated men in the bushes near the regional office of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
It is not clear whether the male friend was also assaulted or overpowered by the gang of unruly youths who then took turns to rape the woman.
Two of the suspects were arrested later that morning, while the third was only apprehended yesterday.
The suspects – one of them a repeat offender out on bail on a separate rape case and murder, yesterday appeared in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The three accused have been identified as Mapenzi Silimwe (23), Kasuka Hendricks Numwa (22), and David Mukela Mbanga (20). At the time of the alleged rape Mapenzi Silimwe was on bail on a separate rape case and he has been linked to various crimes before.
They were all denied bail and their case has been remanded to March 26 for further police investigation. Prosecutor Roger Sibungo appeared for the State, while magistrate Nomsa Sibanda presided over the case.
By George Sanzila