Rape-accused women denied bail
Lured mentally challenged victim to their homes
The state prosecutor fears that the accused will interfere with the investigation as the rape "occurred in a close-knit community".
Two women who stand accused of raping a mentally challenged man were remanded in custody yesterday after making their first appearance in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.
Anatolia Petrus (29) and Rauha Pinhas (33) allegedly raped the 22-year-old man several times between May and June.
The women had their charges explained to them through a translator and state prosecutor Yeukai Kangira stressed the seriousness of the charge, which has also been classified under gender-based violence (GBV).
According to a police report, Petrus and Pinhas lured the victim to their homes “to use him for intercourse purposes”.
The victim’s aunt reported the incident this week.
Magistrate Mozay Jansen postponed the matter to 28 September for further investigations and to allow the accused to apply for legal aid.
No bail
Kangira opposed the granting of bail, arguing that the investigation is still at a premature stage.
She added that the matter is serious and classified as GBV.
She further told the court that she fears the two accused will interfere with the investigation as the rape occurred in a close-knit community, adding that it would not be in the interest of the administration of justice to grant them bail.
Several pieces of evidence – including statements, a photo plan and a trauma report from a social worker – remain outstanding, she said.
“We need an indication of evidence that the victim is not mentally stable: A clinical evaluation from the psychiatric ward and family history of his mental disability, as well as evidence of the accused persons’ health status,” Kangira said.
She added that the State is concerned about the escalating rape cases in the region.
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Anatolia Petrus (29) and Rauha Pinhas (33) allegedly raped the 22-year-old man several times between May and June.
The women had their charges explained to them through a translator and state prosecutor Yeukai Kangira stressed the seriousness of the charge, which has also been classified under gender-based violence (GBV).
According to a police report, Petrus and Pinhas lured the victim to their homes “to use him for intercourse purposes”.
The victim’s aunt reported the incident this week.
Magistrate Mozay Jansen postponed the matter to 28 September for further investigations and to allow the accused to apply for legal aid.
No bail
Kangira opposed the granting of bail, arguing that the investigation is still at a premature stage.
She added that the matter is serious and classified as GBV.
She further told the court that she fears the two accused will interfere with the investigation as the rape occurred in a close-knit community, adding that it would not be in the interest of the administration of justice to grant them bail.
Several pieces of evidence – including statements, a photo plan and a trauma report from a social worker – remain outstanding, she said.
“We need an indication of evidence that the victim is not mentally stable: A clinical evaluation from the psychiatric ward and family history of his mental disability, as well as evidence of the accused persons’ health status,” Kangira said.
She added that the State is concerned about the escalating rape cases in the region.
– [email protected]
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