Iuze Mukube
A 45-year-old resident of the Hoachanas settlement in the Hardap region, yesterday pleaded not guilty to a string of serious criminal charges.
Jonas Murao faces a total of nine charges, including three counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, one count of housebreaking with intent to rape and rape, two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and attempted rape, two further counts of rape, and one count of abduction.
Murao, who tendered the not guilty pleas before Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen, gave no plea explanation, choosing instead to remain silent, hence placing the onus on the State.
The State alleges that on 19 November 2008 at Hoachanas in the district of Mariental, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally break and enter the shop of Rudolf Beukes with intent to steal and did unlawfully steal alcohol, cigarettes and cash, which are the property of and in the lawful possession of Beukes.
Additionally, in two further instances, on 20 November 2008 and 22 November 2008, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally break and enter the shop of Beukes with intent to steal and did unlawfully steal alcohol and cigarettes in the property of and in the lawful possession of Beukes.
In the indictment, it further states that on 03 February 2012 in Hoachanas, Murao broke into and entered the residence of Petrina Dausas with the intent to rape and committed a sexual act with Dausas while she was asleep.
Moreover, on 14 May 2016, he broke and entered the residence of Chalthea Swartbooi with the intent to rape and committed a sexual act with her while she was asleep.
The court document further reads that on 12 November 2016, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally commit or continue to commit a sexual act with Sanna Kharoes, by using his hands to stimulate her while she was also asleep.
Murao, on the same day, allegedly abducted a four-month-old baby, who was under the lawful care of her mother, for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with her.
It is further alleged he broke into and entered into the residence of the mother of the four-month-old baby with the intent to rape and did commit a sexual act with the toddler by inserting his penis or finger or object into the vagina of the victim.
On 12 November 2016, Murao also allegedly committed a sexual act with the four-month-old girl by inserting his penis or finger or object into her anus under coercive circumstances.
Peru Liebenberg is representing the accused while Dominic Lisulo represents the State. –mukubeiuze@gmail.com