Pastor fights for bail
ILENI NANDJATO
Pastor Moussongela Marcelino Pedro of the Mennonite Church appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of rape, abortion and human trafficking.
Pedro is fighting to be released on bail following his arrest a few months ago. During yesterday’s bail hearing, Pedro accused the State of using trumped-up charges against him.
“I am going to plead not guilty to all these charges because this is a duplicate of the case I already faced in Windhoek,” he said.
“This was count number six of that case. There is a plot against me by a group of people who envy me. I have a radio in my prison cell where I am always hearing them calling for people to protest against my bail hearing.”
State prosecutor Dollen Gowases objected to the granting of bail.
“This case is in the public interest and if granted bail, the suspect might abscond. He also might interfere with State witnesses or commit similar cases while out on bail.
“We are also considering the seriousness of the offence and a possibility of a long imprisonment while the police investigation continues,” she said.
The 55-year-old Pedro could not tell the court how he came to Namibia. He said he was born in Cabinda, Angola, and moved to Namibia in 1991 with his wife.
“In 1994 I married a Namibian citizen, Ndamonongheda Penehafo Pedro, and we have been living in Eembidi village in Ondobe Constituency.
“Since I have a PhD in education I started a private school in northern Namibia and I started educating Namibian children, especially orphans,” Pedro told the court.
He said he is the founder of the Mennonite Brethren Community School at Omafo, which has 600 learners and 64 staff members.
“My absence has caused huge damage to my school. Learning is no longer taking place and government has withdrawn its subsidy to the school hostel,” he said. The bail hearing will resume this morning for cross-examination.
Pastor Moussongela Marcelino Pedro of the Mennonite Church appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of rape, abortion and human trafficking.
Pedro is fighting to be released on bail following his arrest a few months ago. During yesterday’s bail hearing, Pedro accused the State of using trumped-up charges against him.
“I am going to plead not guilty to all these charges because this is a duplicate of the case I already faced in Windhoek,” he said.
“This was count number six of that case. There is a plot against me by a group of people who envy me. I have a radio in my prison cell where I am always hearing them calling for people to protest against my bail hearing.”
State prosecutor Dollen Gowases objected to the granting of bail.
“This case is in the public interest and if granted bail, the suspect might abscond. He also might interfere with State witnesses or commit similar cases while out on bail.
“We are also considering the seriousness of the offence and a possibility of a long imprisonment while the police investigation continues,” she said.
The 55-year-old Pedro could not tell the court how he came to Namibia. He said he was born in Cabinda, Angola, and moved to Namibia in 1991 with his wife.
“In 1994 I married a Namibian citizen, Ndamonongheda Penehafo Pedro, and we have been living in Eembidi village in Ondobe Constituency.
“Since I have a PhD in education I started a private school in northern Namibia and I started educating Namibian children, especially orphans,” Pedro told the court.
He said he is the founder of the Mennonite Brethren Community School at Omafo, which has 600 learners and 64 staff members.
“My absence has caused huge damage to my school. Learning is no longer taking place and government has withdrawn its subsidy to the school hostel,” he said. The bail hearing will resume this morning for cross-examination.
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