OSHAKATI – A 44-year-old school principal accused of raping his biological daughter, was last week granted bail of N$2 000 by the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.  He made his second appearance in court last Wednesday.

His case was postponed to 7 August for further police investigations. Although known to New Era, the suspect cannot be named to protect the victim. 

The accused is a principal at a school in northern Namibia. 

Oshana crime investigations coordinator Fredrick Ndjadila said the father was ordered not to contact the victim. “He was told to stay away from the victim,” he said, adding that the victim no longer resides in the suspect’s house. The victim (15) is a learner at the school the accused leads. The victim was allegedly raped on several occasions between December 2023 and January 2024.

It is reported she was living with the 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], the father turned off the light, and he told the daughter that she was grown up, and that she was looking beautiful,” Ndjadila narrated during an earlier interview with this publication. 

The father then informed the daughter that what he was doing to her was part of her training as a grown woman, forcefully undressed her, and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her under duress.  

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

Approached for comment, the executive director of the education ministry Sanet Steenkamp said her office has conducted the preliminary investigation about the principal. “We are still busy investigating the matter, and he will be charged with disciplinary action,” she said.

Steenkamp stressed that the accused is free to return to his duty station while the investigations are underway. She said the victim has been now relocated to a new school.  

Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi said the accused man “didn’t return to school after he was released”.

“He took leave days,” he added. –fhamalwa@nepc.com.na