SWAKOPMUND - A Henties Bay woman has pleaded in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court that a man accused of attempted rape should not be released on bail.

The suspect is accused of allegedly raping her minor daughter, and attempting to rape her last Sunday evening in Henties Bay.  However, he only appeared in court for attempted rape.

The suspect, whose identity cannot be revealed, appeared on Wednesday in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court after he was arrested last Sunday for the charges in Henties Bay. 

In a statement submitted during the suspect’s first appearance in Swakopmund, the survivor pleaded with the court for justice.

“If the accused is released on bail, he will do the same again or continue to do it, and I am scared for my life,” the survivor’s statement made on Tuesday reads.

Prosecutor Magano Ngeama also objected to bail being granted to the suspect due to the seriousness of the case. Magistrate Conchita Olivier then postponed the matter to 19 March so that the suspect could obtain legal representation. It is not clear whether the alleged rape against the woman’s minor child is being pursued.

Acting spokesperson for the Namibian Police at Walvis Bay, Tuyenikelao Tashiya, said last week the woman and her daughter (8) visited the suspect, who is a friend, on Saturday and slept over at his house.

“The mother allegedly woke up after realising that she was being undressed by the suspect without her consent. The suspect allegedly apologised, and they all went back to sleep,” she said. The suspect and the mother and daughter were all sleeping in the suspect’s room. The mother and daughter were allegedly sleeping on the bed, while the suspect was sleeping on a mattress next to the bed. 

Tashiya said the mother, to her horror, found the suspect on top of her daughter the next morning. She then reported the matter to the police, and the suspect was arrested. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na