Windhoek
The police have until Tuesday to complete investigations into the case in which a teacher stands accused of raping a learner last year, Magistrate Claudia Claasen ruled yesterday when the accused, Patrick Geingob, 34, returned to court.
He is free on bail of N$7 000 after he lodged a formal bail application and the case was postponed on a final remand for further police investigations. Geingob is a teacher at People’s Primary School in Katutura and stands accused of raping a 13-year-old girl between last May and October.
He was granted bail on condition he not make contact with the family of the complainant or the complainant herself. He was also ordered not to go near the premises of People’s Primary School. Geingob was further ordered to hand over his passport to the investigating officer and not to apply for any travelling documents once out on bail. He must also report himself to the Katutura police station every Monday between 07h00 and 19h00.
Geingob made his first appearance last October 26, when he was denied bail. New Era learned that he was called to the police station by station commander Chief Inspector Ishmael Basson last October, who questioned him about the rape allegations and he was subsequently arrested. In court in October Prosecutor Granny Paulus said the State objected to Geingob being granted bail, because of the statement the victim made. Geingob’s defence lawyer, Garth Joseph, said there were no facts before the court, yet the State wanted his client to remain in custody. the State had argued at the time that the rights of the victim have to be protected and that details could not be disclosed “at this sensitive stage of the case”.