Bail verdict delayed
The bail application in the matter of the rape and trafficking of a 14-year-old school girl has been postponed to the end of the month.
Two suspects accused of kidnapping, drugging and raping a 14-year-old Oshakati schoolgirl will have to wait until 31 October to hear whether they will be granted bail by the Oshakati Magistrate's Court.
Frederick Jacobus van Zyl (32) and Sylvia Bonifatius (20) were informed by Chief Magistrate Mika Namweya this past Friday that he had been unable to finalise his bail verdict.
He said because of the number of witnesses, finalising his judgment had proved difficult and he was unable to keep his Friday deadline.
Namweya said he is about 90% complete with his ruling, but because he will not be available this week, he was forced to postpone the matter until 31 October.
Van Zyl and Bonifatius are facing charges of human trafficking, two counts of rape, as well as charges of committing immoral practices, drugging a female for unlawful intercourse and stupefying a female for unlawful intercourse.
They have indicated they will plead not guilty to all the charges.
The State is opposing bail because of the seriousness of the offences, the fear that they may abscond and that they may interfere with investigations.
It is further arguing it would not be in the public interest or in the interest of the administration of justice, if the two suspects are granted bail, adding investigations are still in their infancy.
The defence relied solely on the testimony of the two suspects.
The three State witnesses included human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh, who testified that the two suspects should not be granted bail.
Making reference to international and local laws, as well as the constitution, Ya Nangoloh said the court is prohibited from granting bail when suspects are charged with serious offences, including human trafficking.
The State's second witness, Constable Abraham Eliaser, who is the investigating officer in the matter, testified that the two suspects were only arrested in September, after the case was opened in July.
Eliaser informed the court he still needs to obtain witnesses statements and that he believes the suspects will interfere with his investigations.
Chrisna Masule is the prosecutor, while Bonifatius is represented by Simson Aingura and Pieter Greyling appears for Van Zyl.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Frederick Jacobus van Zyl (32) and Sylvia Bonifatius (20) were informed by Chief Magistrate Mika Namweya this past Friday that he had been unable to finalise his bail verdict.
He said because of the number of witnesses, finalising his judgment had proved difficult and he was unable to keep his Friday deadline.
Namweya said he is about 90% complete with his ruling, but because he will not be available this week, he was forced to postpone the matter until 31 October.
Van Zyl and Bonifatius are facing charges of human trafficking, two counts of rape, as well as charges of committing immoral practices, drugging a female for unlawful intercourse and stupefying a female for unlawful intercourse.
They have indicated they will plead not guilty to all the charges.
The State is opposing bail because of the seriousness of the offences, the fear that they may abscond and that they may interfere with investigations.
It is further arguing it would not be in the public interest or in the interest of the administration of justice, if the two suspects are granted bail, adding investigations are still in their infancy.
The defence relied solely on the testimony of the two suspects.
The three State witnesses included human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh, who testified that the two suspects should not be granted bail.
Making reference to international and local laws, as well as the constitution, Ya Nangoloh said the court is prohibited from granting bail when suspects are charged with serious offences, including human trafficking.
The State's second witness, Constable Abraham Eliaser, who is the investigating officer in the matter, testified that the two suspects were only arrested in September, after the case was opened in July.
Eliaser informed the court he still needs to obtain witnesses statements and that he believes the suspects will interfere with his investigations.
Chrisna Masule is the prosecutor, while Bonifatius is represented by Simson Aingura and Pieter Greyling appears for Van Zyl.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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