RUNDU – A 17-year-old girl’s lifeless body was discovered by pedestrians on Tuesday evening on a gravel road at Uvhungu-vhungu village just east of Rundu. It is not yet clear as to what might have caused her death.

According to the police, it was reported at around 19h00 that a body was discovered lying on the road. The police mortuary services have since taken her remains to the Rundu Intermediate Hospital’s mortuary where a post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death. “Information surrounding her death is still sketchy, but unconfirmed information suggests that she fell from a moving vehicle. Further details are yet to be established,” said the Kavango East police commander, Johanna Ngondo. “A case of culpable homicide has been opened. The deceased was identified as Miriam Matumbo Rugharo, a resident of Kaisosi location in Rundu. Investigations are underway to establish what really happened,” Ngondo added.

Meanwhile, in Kavango West, a case of rape of a seven-year-old was opened. The minor was allegedly raped by her 25-year-old uncle on Monday at about 18h00 at Marenge village.

“It is alleged that the suspect called the victim from her grandmother’s house and promised to take her to her parent’s house. The victim was carrying her one-year-old younger brother,” said commissioner Josephat Abel of the Kavango West police.

“While they were walking, the suspect took advantage of the victim and dragged her in the bushes, removed the baby who was on the victim’s back, pushed the victim to the ground and raped her. The suspect was arrested and is due to appear in court,” he said.