DNA results clear rape accused of paternity
Teenager's two children in foster care
Despite conclusive proof that he is not the father of the teenager's second child, the charge of rape has not been withdrawn against Kaundu.
Long-awaited DNA results have proven conclusively that a 43-year-old social worker accused of raping and impregnating a 16-year-old teenager is not the father of her child.
Markus Nairenge Kaundu was arrested in 2021 and charged with raping and impregnating the teenager, who had been assigned to his care after she was raped and fell pregnant with her first child at age 14.
The DNA results were revealed in the Kahenge Periodic Court earlier this month.
Despite conclusive proof that he is not the father of the teenager's second child, the charge of rape has not been withdrawn against Kaundu.
Kaundu was released from custody as he is currently out on N$5 000 bail.
Impact
The DNA test was undertaken in October last year – five months after the minor girl gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
The girl has since returned to school, while both her children are in foster care in the Kavango East Region.
Kaundu, who is an employee of the gender equality and child welfare ministry in Nkurenkuru, was suspended without pay in December 2021, following his arrest and on recommendations by the Public Service Commission.
At the time, ministry executive director Esther Lusepani told Namibian Sun that Kaundu had been suspended indefinitely while the criminal case and an internal disciplinary hearing were still ongoing.
"He is suspended until the whole process is completed, and the disciplinary process is ongoing," she said.
Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that while on suspension, Kaundu attempted to resign from the ministry; however, his resignation was rejected pending the finalisation of the legal proceedings.
Kaundu is represented by Bernhard Tjatjara.
[email protected]
Markus Nairenge Kaundu was arrested in 2021 and charged with raping and impregnating the teenager, who had been assigned to his care after she was raped and fell pregnant with her first child at age 14.
The DNA results were revealed in the Kahenge Periodic Court earlier this month.
Despite conclusive proof that he is not the father of the teenager's second child, the charge of rape has not been withdrawn against Kaundu.
Kaundu was released from custody as he is currently out on N$5 000 bail.
Impact
The DNA test was undertaken in October last year – five months after the minor girl gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
The girl has since returned to school, while both her children are in foster care in the Kavango East Region.
Kaundu, who is an employee of the gender equality and child welfare ministry in Nkurenkuru, was suspended without pay in December 2021, following his arrest and on recommendations by the Public Service Commission.
At the time, ministry executive director Esther Lusepani told Namibian Sun that Kaundu had been suspended indefinitely while the criminal case and an internal disciplinary hearing were still ongoing.
"He is suspended until the whole process is completed, and the disciplinary process is ongoing," she said.
Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that while on suspension, Kaundu attempted to resign from the ministry; however, his resignation was rejected pending the finalisation of the legal proceedings.
Kaundu is represented by Bernhard Tjatjara.
[email protected]
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