KEETMANSHOOP – A 37-year-old man who is accused of raping his pregnant wife was remanded in custody following his appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

During his first court appearance before magistrate Uchen Konjore, the man’s case was postponed to Monday for further police investigations. 

However, at the time of going to print the accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, had not made his second appearance in court.

During Thursday’s court proceedings, the accused indicated that he would defend himself, and pleaded guilty to all three charges of rape, read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003.

However, during cross-examination, he asserted that the sexual intercourse was consensual, and denied the use of force as alleged by the state.

Konjore, however, said the court was not satisfied with the accused’s plea and amended it to not guilty on all counts in accordance with the law, which pertains to the amendment of charges during a trial.

State prosecutor Gift Kambinda opposed bail because police investigations are at an early stage, and because the accused knows the complainant and state witness, who is his wife.

The accused was remanded in custody at the Keetmanshoop police holding cells until his next court appearance.

According to a Namibian Police crime report, the man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly raping his 37-year-old wife. 

The accusations include strangling her until she became weak, binding her hands with an electric cable, and engaging in sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

He allegedly asserted
ownership of her body and questioned her attempts to
prevent him from fulfilling his desires.

“It is alleged that the suspect returned home intoxicated, displaying anger and aggression towards his wife. He allegedly threatened her with two knives to prevent her escape, as she often does when he became angry,” the police report stated. 

-Nampa