‘Rapists’ trial set for March

A pensioner and his co-accused are facing charges relating to the rape of an 11-year-old girl, with their trial set to start in March 2024.The 72-year-old Dirk von Weidts and Arrie Jors (46) allegedly sexually abused the girl between October 2020 and January 2021 near Noordoewer on more than one occasion. She was apparently taken to the men&#039;s respective homes and raped separately by each of the accused.During last week&#039;s appearance before Judge Naomi Shivute in the Windhoek High Court, Von Weidts&#039; application for more information about the complaint against him was rejected.He applied for the State to provide more information than what was contained in the indictment. He demanded that they give more details in terms of the date and place where the alleged rape took place.He also requested the information relied on by the State in its allegations that he forced, recruited or detained the minor girl, as well as the "coercive circumstances" under which the crime is believed to have taken place and the physical force the State claims he used to rape her.He argued that the information would help him prepare for the trial.However, Shivute ruled that the case file had already been disclosed to him and the State did not need to provide any further information.15 chargesVon Weidts and Jors are expected to plead on the 15 charges they face next March. This includes five charges of human trafficking because they allegedly illegally recruited and/or received and/or harbored the girl through coercion, deception or exploitation. Altogether, the men will also stand trial on five charges of rape.Furthermore, they face one charge of indecent assault and four charges of committing or attempting to commit an indecent act on a minor.The trial is scheduled to last from 4 to 16 March 2024. Jors is in custody and Von Weidts is free on bail. Von Weidts has already indicated that he intends to plead not guilty to the charge against him.– kristien@republikein.com.na

‘Rapists’ trial set for March

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-12

Please login to leave a comment

‘Rapists’ trial set for March

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-12

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content