WINDHOEK – Gerson Kaviyene Kameruao, aged 36 was sentenced to an effective jail term of 18 years and three months on three convictions of rape. He was also convicted on two counts of assault and one count of indecent assault.
Judge Alfred Siboleka sentenced Kameruao to eight years on the first rape conviction and ten years on the second and third rape convictions. Two of the rape charges were combined for purposes of sentencing. He further sentenced Kameruao to three months each on the assault charges, while six months were suspended for five years on condition that Kameruao is not convicted of indecent assault again. It was ordered that the sentences on the two assault charges should run concurrently. Judge Siboleka said it is an unavoidable consequence that custodial sentences have to be meted out in order to protect defenseless victims such as women. He however said the three and a half years Kameruao spent in prison awaiting trial cannot be ignored. According to the judge it is the duty of the court to protect those who are physically weak and not in a position to defend themselves. As such the judge said, the court will fail in its duty if it does not impose a sentence that includes and carries a deterrent aspect for future would be offenders, sending a clear message that rape will not be tolerated and would always be visited with harsh sentences. Judge Siboleka said the first victim was only eighteen years old and was violated in her own residence. According to the judge rape is a serious violation of the dignity of the victim.
“It creates a scar that cannot easily be healed for quite a long time. Women in particular are vulnerable members of our society that need protection. What is more disturbing the judge said is that Kameruao was out on bail for rape when he pounced on his second victim. While he agrees with Kameruao’s defence counsel that neither of the two victims suffered any physical harm, the seriousness of the offences remain firm and unshaken in the mindset of the court, Judge Siboleka stressed. According to the judge he took into account the fact that Kameruao is a first offender on the rape offences and that the victims did not suffer any physical harm during the sexual assault and that Kameruao spent three and a half years in custody awaiting the finalisation of the trial.
By Roland Routh