The 18-year-old pupil who stands accused of raping three minor girls made his first appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Jerome Burtze made his first appearance before Magistrate Unchen Konjore, who postponed his case to 24 June 2025 for further police investigation.

During the court hearing, the accused indicated that he will conduct his own defence, and that he intends to plead guilty to two rape charges, and not three.

State prosecutor Justine Shiweda opposed bail, citing that the accused faces serious charges.

The magistrate advised the accused to bring a formal bail application if he wishes to be released.

Earlier, the Namibian Police crime investigations coordinator for the //Kharas region, Deputy Commissioner Nicodemus Mbango, told Nampa that the accused allegedly had sexual intercourse with three girls aged between 10 and 12.

The alleged rape happened on Thursday at the victims’ household in the Krönlein residential area. The accused is a friend of a relative of the victims.

It is alleged that the accused called the minors into the room where the rapes occurred one by one, threatening them with a knife.

-Nampa