Otavi teen raped, killed before family reunion

Sixteen-year-old Myne Hoases was reportedly preparing to visit her biological family after living with a family who had taken her in when she was raped and shot dead at a farm near Otavi earlier this month.

Speaking to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, Willem van Rensbrug, whose family had cared for Hoases after her mother allegedly abandoned her some years ago, said efforts had been made to reunite her with her family before the murder took place.

“She stayed with us for about two years,” Van Rensbrug said.

He said they had also tried to trace her family through her grandmother, while her stepfather was allegedly largely absent from her life.

They had already discussed that Hoases would spend time with her biological family before returning to the Van Rensbrugs.

However, before any of the plans could materialise, Hoases was killed.

Suspect dies by suicide

Police reports indicate that Hoases was raped before being shot dead at Olifantspoor, about 62 kilometres from Otavi, on 7 August. She had reportedly gone to relieve herself when 26-year-old Chris Guxab allegedly approached her.

Police believe the firearm used in the killing had been stolen from another farmer's shack.

Police identified Guxab as the suspect after he fled the area shortly after Hoases’ death, triggering a week-long manhunt.

Van Rensbrug said he had never personally witnessed a relationship between Hoases and Guxab.

He said the two were at times in the same general area, where Guxab would collect his sculptures, but he never saw them talking or behaving as a couple.

Van Rensbrug added that he was not aware Guxab was in the area on the day Hoases was killed.

Police later traced Guxab to a hiding place near a dam on Friday, 14 August.

Van Rensbrug said residents were instructed to remain inside from about 20:00 as police searched the area. At around 21:00, he said, those inside the house heard gunshots.

He said police later told them officers had attempted to stop Guxab before he before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police have said Guxab died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a confrontation with officers.

[email protected]