RUNDU – Five rape-accused men arrested last Monday for allegedly raping minor girls at the Kavango East region’s Nyangana Catholic Mission’s hostel, were denied bail last week.

The accused were living at the Nyangana mission, and had access to the female learners housed at the mission’s hostel.

Sources stated that the rape activities allegedly happened at a building outside the girl’s hostel.

The alleged rape victims who spoke out, are reported to be between ages 13 and 17.

They were allegedly forced and raped on several occasions between January and November 2024.

The five accused are Nakadhilu Sem-Penda (26), Markus Bluethoos Thitarapa (24), Benson Shiteketa (25), Pontianus Hazald Shashipapo (26) and Paulus Lukiwa Scorpion Ndara (27).

The case was postponed to tomorrow, when the suspects make their second appearance at the Ndiyona Periodic Court.

Two of the accused were aspiring to go to the seminary, while two were sent to discern
their vocation outside of the seminary set-up and were sent back to go and repent their bad behaviour, while one was doing some odd jobs as an electrician and baker at the mission.

–jmuyamba@nepc.com.na