A police inspector who was first on the scene in a rape incident in the Hoachanas settlement in the Hardap region, testified in the trial of a 45-year-old resident accused of a string of serious criminal charges on Monday.
Jonas Murao, faces 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.
Effectively, he placed the onus on the State to prove its allegations.
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 the 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 the intent to steal and did unlawfully steal alcohol and cigarettes from the property of and in the lawful possession of Beukes.
In the indictment, it further states that on 3 February 2012 in Hoachanas, Murao broke into and entered the residence of one of the complainants, who may not be named, with the intent to rape and allegedly raped her while she was asleep.
Moreover, on 14 May 2016, he broke and entered the residence of another complainant 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 another complainant 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 that he broke into and entered 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, finger or object into the vagina of the victim.
On 12 November 2016, Murao also allegedly raped the four-month-old girl by inserting his penis, finger or an object into her anus under coercive circumstances.
Inspector Adelheid Shuuya told the court that on 4 February, while she was asleep, she received a phone call from ‘Penny’ informing her that a certain lady wants to report a crime. She then called her colleague, and they went to the scene. Upon their arrival, the lady narrated that she was drunk and had to sleep very deeply. When she woke up, she saw a man lying next to her.
She recognised him as the accused and called his name, ‘Agatiep’, upon which he woke up and ran away. She then decided to sleep further until the next morning to report the rape, but while still awake, she saw a hand trying to switch off the light, and she screamed. The man then ran to the back of the room where her daughter was sleeping, and when the latter also screamed, the man then ran out into the darkness, and that is when she went for help.
The matter is continuing today, and Murao is on bail. He is represented by Peru Liebenberg, while Dominic Lisulo represents the State.