ONGWEDIVA - Anatolia Petrus (29) and Rauha Pinhas (33) were denied bail during their first court appearance in Oshakati Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The two are accused of allegedly raping a 22-year-old mentally impaired man during the months of May and June this year. The pair will remain behind bars as police investigations continue.

Petrus and Pinhas were arrested earlier this week when the victim’s aunt reported the case to the police.

It is alleged the accused lured the victim into their house and sexually assaulted him on different occasions.

During the court hearing, State Prosecutor Yeukai Kangira contended what the accused allegedly did was unlawful and intentional, emphaising it is a serious offense classified as gender-based violence.

“They intentionally performed sexual acts by inserting his penis into the vaginas of the accused, knowing very well the victim is mentally incapable. The State has a strong case against the accused,” said Kangira. The prosecutor further noted the investigations are still not finalised as the court awaits a victim trauma report from a social worker as well as the victim’s family history and evidence that he is mentally incapable.

Magistrate Mozay Jansen postponed the case to 28 September 2023.