A man who allegedly lured young girls to his house with the promise of fixing a gold ring to their teeth, lost another lawyer last Thursday when Charles Beukes withdrew due to untenable instructions.
Johan Paru Morkel is facing seven counts of rape, alternatively committing or attempting to commit a sexual act with a child below the age of sixteen years. He further faces three counts of trafficking in children, one count of abduction, alternatively kidnapping, one count of assault by threat, one count of attempted rape, alternatively indecent assault, and one count of attempting to commit an indecent or immoral act with a child under the age of 16, alternatively indecent assault.
It is alleged by the State that he kidnapped a 15-year-old girl on 21 December 2018 at Nuwepost near Dordabis and took her into the bushes, where he tied her up and repeatedly raped her. The girl managed to escape after three days when he went to relieve himself. It is further alleged that during 2021, he lured two underaged girls to his residence with the promise to put gold on their teeth, and then sexually molested them.
According to the indictment, he lured a nine-year-old girl on 30 May 2021 with the promise to put a gold ring on her teeth, and while she was in his residence, he committed a sexual act on her. It is further alleged that he threatened to beat her if she told anyone about what happened.
On 16 July, he allegedly showed another young girl a gold ring on his teeth, and offered to put one on her teeth as well. While she was sitting there, he allegedly inserted his tongue in her mouth while simultaneously touching her body and buttock while trying to remove her clothes.
The girl, who may not be named, managed to pull free, run away, and report the incident.
The matter was referred to the High Court in 2023, and Morkel was represented by Happie Ntelamo-Matswetu on instructions of Legal Aid. She, however, withdrew from the matter shortly afterwards due to conflicting instructions, and another lawyer was appointed by Legal Aid.
This is Morkel’s umpteenth pre-trial appearance since he made his first High Court appearance in January last year. He has lost several lawyers due to conflicting instructions, and has applied for legal aid again and again.
A warrant for his arrest was also issued yesterday for him failing to show up to court and held over until his next appearance on 21 May, to be dealt with by his new lawyer, should Legal Aid appoint one for him.
High Court Deputy Judge President Nate Ndauendapo warned Morkel that legal aid is not an absolute right, and that he should not abuse it.
The prosecution was represented by Advocate Palmer Khumalo. -rrouth@nepc.com.na