Prophet accused of child rape free again
The prophet and gospel singer who allegedly attempted to rape a ten-year-old boy last month in the house of a head pastor of a Otjomuise church was released from custody over the weekend after authorities reportedly failed to bring him to court.
The alleged rapist was reportedly apprehended on Thursday after being untraceable for a month. According to authorities at the police station, he was released on Saturday as "his time in detention had expired."
Detained and released
According to the law, alleged offenders must be charged within 48 hours and appear before a magistrate.
The investigating officer, Sergeant Alex Naobeb, confirmed the suspect was charged on Friday, 6 October, with one count of attempted rape.
"He was detained at the Katutura Police Station and later transferred to the Wanaheda detention cells. The police stations are responsible for timely bringing suspects to court appearances," Naobeb told Namibia Media Holdings yesterday.
He was expected to appear in the Katutura Magistrate's Court for the first time on Friday, but was allegedly not taken there. Court officials confirmed that he did not appear on Friday or Monday.
Head of the gender-based violence (GBV) investigation unit, Deputy Inspector Christiana Simaho, was unwilling to comment and referred inquiries to a police spokesperson. Although a spokesperson for the Namibian police had promised to provide feedback, they did not respond to inquiries before the deadline.
Accusations
According to the alleged victim's family, the ten-year-old boy spent the night at the house of the church's head pastor, where the prophet, who was staying at the pastor's house, allegedly invited the boy to sleep with him during the night.
"He removed his pants and applied something. My son woke up frightened. The prophet told him to be quiet," the boy's mother told the newspaper. The mother lodged a complaint against the man a few days later. The boy also underwent a rape examination, and his injuries were documented.
According to the health worker's notes provided to Namibia Media Holdings, the boy's anal sphincter was sensitive but not torn or severely injured. However, his mother says that he still experiences pain.
The alleged rapist was reportedly apprehended on Thursday after being untraceable for a month. According to authorities at the police station, he was released on Saturday as "his time in detention had expired."
Detained and released
According to the law, alleged offenders must be charged within 48 hours and appear before a magistrate.
The investigating officer, Sergeant Alex Naobeb, confirmed the suspect was charged on Friday, 6 October, with one count of attempted rape.
"He was detained at the Katutura Police Station and later transferred to the Wanaheda detention cells. The police stations are responsible for timely bringing suspects to court appearances," Naobeb told Namibia Media Holdings yesterday.
He was expected to appear in the Katutura Magistrate's Court for the first time on Friday, but was allegedly not taken there. Court officials confirmed that he did not appear on Friday or Monday.
Head of the gender-based violence (GBV) investigation unit, Deputy Inspector Christiana Simaho, was unwilling to comment and referred inquiries to a police spokesperson. Although a spokesperson for the Namibian police had promised to provide feedback, they did not respond to inquiries before the deadline.
Accusations
According to the alleged victim's family, the ten-year-old boy spent the night at the house of the church's head pastor, where the prophet, who was staying at the pastor's house, allegedly invited the boy to sleep with him during the night.
"He removed his pants and applied something. My son woke up frightened. The prophet told him to be quiet," the boy's mother told the newspaper. The mother lodged a complaint against the man a few days later. The boy also underwent a rape examination, and his injuries were documented.
According to the health worker's notes provided to Namibia Media Holdings, the boy's anal sphincter was sensitive but not torn or severely injured. However, his mother says that he still experiences pain.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article