WALVIS BAY – The traumatic sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl has landed a Walvis Bay man in custody after the minor’s aunt alerted the authorities about his cruel deeds that allegedly went on for months.
The suspect allegedly used his minor son to lure the minor to his home, where he viciously raped her, used a vibrator on her as well as inserted a broomstick in her private parts.
The suspect, who cannot be named, was allegedly also due to get married last Friday. He made his first court appearance last week Monday in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court, where prosecutor Maggy Shiyagaya opposed bail due to the seriousness of the case, and the fact that more arrests could follow.
“The accused is charged with three counts of rape, and investigations are still not done. The State also objects to bail in light of the seriousness of the offence, and that it is not in the best interest of the public nor for the administration of justice that the accused be granted bail,” Shiyagaya submitted. A source close to the investigation told New Era over the weekend that the alleged rapes have been taking place since March this year, and that the minor was raped on at least three occasions by the suspect.
According to the source, the minor only spoke out recently while on holiday in Windhoek with her aunt. “She had nightmares of being raped and was questioned by the aunt, who became worried about her dreams. She then described in detail how she had suffered at the hands of the perpetrator.
This is one of the worst cases that we have ever dealt with. The details are so dark and twisted,” another source privy to the matter said. According to the sources, the first incident occurred in March this year when the minor’s mother allegedly left her in the care of an uncle, and went on a drinking spree with the suspect. The uncle allegedly then left the minor sleeping, and joined his sister and the suspect. However, the suspect allegedly later went back to the uncle’s house, where he penetrated the minor while she was sleeping.
“The minor went back home, and told her mother and uncle about the rape as she found the suspect in their company. However, they rubbished her claims,” the sources said.
During the second incident, the suspect allegedly used his minor son, who is schooling at the same school as the victim, to lure her to their house where he tied her up and raped her again. The suspect allegedly also used his son in the third incident to again lure the victim to his house.
“This time around, he was joined by another friend, and the two of them allegedly used a vibrator on the minor. They also inserted a broomstick into her private parts,” the sources claimed.
The accused’s case was postponed to 24 February 2022 by magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis, and he was informed that he can in the meantime formally apply for bail. The Erongo police’s acting community affairs commander Anastacia Frans yesterday indicated that the investigations with regard to the case are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, President Hage Geingob on Friday in his International Human Rights Day and Namibian Women’s Day statement recognised the heroes and heroines at the forefront in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, as well as other challenges facing women.
“In our current fight against a deadly invisible enemy, women are at the forefront in our fight, and we pay tribute to their acts of selfless sacrifice. Let us protect our women and children, and help create a safer and more prosperous Namibian house that is free from regressive societal practices,” Geingob had urged.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na