A Windhoek resident who confessed to abducting, kidnapping and raping a five-year-old girl is scheduled to receive trial dates next month.

High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg yesterday indicated the matter of Jeremia van Wyk is ready to proceed for trial after months of case management. 

Liebenberg allocated Judge Naomi Shivute to preside over the trial. He then postponed the matter to 6 April, for Van Wyk to make his first appearance before Shivute. 

Van Wyk has been in police custody since his arrest in August 2019 after he was found in the company of a minor girl who was reported missing from school. 

During his first appearance at Katutura Magistrate’s Court, Van Wyk confessed that he picked up the little girl on the date in question around 13h00 from her school in the area of Khomasdal, Windhoek. 

The accused further explained that they walked from the victim’s school to Katutura where he sexually violated the minor. 

Van Wyk gave graphic and descriptive details of what he had done to the minor. 

Following the sexual violation, he went to drink with his friends while in the company of the victim. 

It is his testimony that he was highly intoxicated from the drugs and alcohol he had consumed that day.

 He further testified he only realised what he had done after the effects of the drugs and alcohol started to wear off. 

The police arrested Van Wyk on 1 August 2019 after he was found in the company of the victim who was reported to have gone missing from school earlier in the day.

The girl’s picture went viral that day on social media with a short description that she was missing. 

Police reports at the time indicated a member of the public recognised the minor and reported to the police.

For the alleged crimes, the prosecution has charged Van Wyk with a count of rape, abduction with an alternative count of kidnapping.

Van Wyk was previously convicted and served a sentence on charges of murder and rape.

For his trial, Van Wyk will be represented by Joseph Andreas, with Felicitas Sikerete prosecuting for the State. 

- mamakali@nepc.com.na