Preliminary investigations around a 44-year-old northern school principal accused of raping his 15-year-old daughter, have been completed.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp confirmed this to New Era.

“He has been charged. That is correct. The internal processes will now continue,” she added.

Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi said the accused principal was provided with his charge-sheet last week.

“He was given 14 days to respond to his counts,” he noted.

Hamatwi, however, did not disclose how many charges the principal faces. 

The investigation is about him having a romantic affair with a school learner.

“He is waiting for the final decision from the office of the executive director in the ministry,” he continued.

The accused was granted bail of N$2 000 when he appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court last year.

He returned to his work immediately after he was released from custody.

The quadragenarian was arrested last year at his house in Oshakati, where the alleged incident happened.

Oshana crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Fredrick Ndjadila said the victim is a learner at the school headed by the accused.

The victim was allegedly raped on several occasions between December 2023 and January 2024.

It is reported that the victim was living with her father, and they would normally drive to school together.

It is further alleged that the suspect would call the victim to his bedroom to massage his feet.

“After she finished [massaging], her father turned off the lights, and told the daughter that she was grown up and that she was looking beautiful,” Ndjadila narrated.

The police said the father then informed the daughter that what he was doing to her was part of her training as a growing woman, forcefully undressed her, and raped her.

Ndjadila said the accused warned his daughter not to tell anyone because if she did, he would end up in jail, leaving her without a supportive father. 

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na