OUTAPI - A 33-year-old pastor from Okandi village in the Omusati region who is alleged to have raped three of his female congregation members, was denied bail by the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. 

Elikana David faces three counts of rape, one count of kidnapping, and one count of abduction.

Magistrate Hafeni Kashihakumwa postponed his case to 12 June for further police investigations.

Omusati Namibian Police Chief, Commissioner Israel Basson, stated that the suspect, who is the pastor and owner of the church that the victims attended, allegedly raped the women on separate occasions.

He is accused of having raped a 24-year-old on 9 February; on 16 February, the 17-year-old; and on 24 February, he allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman.

“The three women occasionally cleaned his room, and once in the process, the pastor would allegedly walk in and lock the doors before proceeding to rape them,” Basson narrated. 

Prosecutor Elizabeth Hiyolwa appeared for the State. 

Meanwhile, the pastor’s wife said while witnessing her husband being arrested on Tuesday that the learners are allegedly being instigated by one of the villagers, who has issues with the pastor.

“Those learners always come to my husband in the evening hours, seeking school stationeries. I remember the day they came, and my husband gave them pens,” she added.

The wife is struggling to believe the accusations and where the acts of rape could have taken place, saying she is always for her husband.

“There are people who used to sleep in the church, and they could have told me about my husband sleeping with the learners. There is no truth in this story,” she shielded.

The alleged rape victims were provided with counselling services. Police investigations are ongoing.

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na