Police detain prominent Swakopmund figure over rape accusation
Bail application scheduled for today
A well-known Swakopmund businessman who recently stood as an independent candidate in the regional council elections has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 20-year-old woman near the Nonidas.
Erongo police spokesperson Inspector Serafine Kandjimi confirmed that Sydney Taapopi Halupe was arrested in Swakopmund on 12 December following an alleged rape reported to have occurred on 1 December.
Halupe appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and the matter was postponed to 17 December for a bail application.
Halupe subsequently fell ill and is currently admitted to a local hospital while in custody.
The complainant, who is visually impaired, told police that Halupe had said he was looking to employ a secretary with computer skills.
According to the charge, she attended an interview at his office on 1 December.
After the interview, Halupe allegedly offered to drive her back to her current place of work.
Instead, Halupe is accused of driving her to a secluded area near the Nonidas behind the NamWater pipeline, where the rape allegedly occurred around midday.
Alleged intimidation
The complainant alleged that Halupe threatened her during the return trip, warning her not to disclose what had happened.
He is also said to have threatened to harm her family if she spoke about the ordeal.
The following day, the victim reported the alleged rape to a woman affiliated with the facility where she was based.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police.
The woman was taken for a medical examination and received treatment.
She later returned to the police to make a formal statement.
Evidence allegedly on record
The complainant told police that the suspect allegedly returned to the facility the same week and issued further threats regarding the alleged assault.
These alleged confrontations were reportedly recorded on a mobile phone and later handed to the police as part of the investigation.
Inspector Kandjimi confirmed that the suspect was arrested after statements were finalised and said investigations are ongoing.
In addition to his political profile for having recently run as an independent candidate in Swakopmund but failing to secure a seat, Halupe is also known as a rugby player for Walvis Bat Kudus and was selected for the Welwitschias during the 2025 season.
He previously faced legal trouble in 2017 related to alleged insurance fraud and perjury.
Erongo police spokesperson Inspector Serafine Kandjimi confirmed that Sydney Taapopi Halupe was arrested in Swakopmund on 12 December following an alleged rape reported to have occurred on 1 December.
Halupe appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and the matter was postponed to 17 December for a bail application.
Halupe subsequently fell ill and is currently admitted to a local hospital while in custody.
The complainant, who is visually impaired, told police that Halupe had said he was looking to employ a secretary with computer skills.
According to the charge, she attended an interview at his office on 1 December.
After the interview, Halupe allegedly offered to drive her back to her current place of work.
Instead, Halupe is accused of driving her to a secluded area near the Nonidas behind the NamWater pipeline, where the rape allegedly occurred around midday.
Alleged intimidation
The complainant alleged that Halupe threatened her during the return trip, warning her not to disclose what had happened.
He is also said to have threatened to harm her family if she spoke about the ordeal.
The following day, the victim reported the alleged rape to a woman affiliated with the facility where she was based.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police.
The woman was taken for a medical examination and received treatment.
She later returned to the police to make a formal statement.
Evidence allegedly on record
The complainant told police that the suspect allegedly returned to the facility the same week and issued further threats regarding the alleged assault.
These alleged confrontations were reportedly recorded on a mobile phone and later handed to the police as part of the investigation.
Inspector Kandjimi confirmed that the suspect was arrested after statements were finalised and said investigations are ongoing.
In addition to his political profile for having recently run as an independent candidate in Swakopmund but failing to secure a seat, Halupe is also known as a rugby player for Walvis Bat Kudus and was selected for the Welwitschias during the 2025 season.
He previously faced legal trouble in 2017 related to alleged insurance fraud and perjury.
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