Hostel caretaker faces 32 rape charges

The case of an Otjiwarongo hostel caretaker facing 32 counts of rape of 10 young boys between 2013 and 2016 has been remanded by the Windhoek High Court to 18 January 2017.Mervin Nguyapeua, known as the 'hostel father' to the boys accusing him of multiple rapes and sexual molestation, was arrested in February 2016, when he was 48 years old.He has remained behind bars since then, after bail was denied.His case was transferred from the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court to the Windhoek High Court this year.Nguyapeua stands accused of various acts of rape and molestation of boys, including forcing them to watch pornographic videos, among a number of sexual assaults.He was employed at the Okarundu hostel at Karundu School in Otjiwarongo at the time of his arrest.During his bail hearing at the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court in May 2016, family and friends of the complainants caused a public outcry about the case, threatening a protest march should the accused be granted bail.At the time he was facing 20 counts of rape, which increased to 32 after the investigation was completed and all complainants had been interviewed.In June 2016, Otjiwarongo Magistrate Helvi Shilemba denied bail on the grounds that it would not be in the public interest to release the accused and that it is the duty of the court to protect the public.Of the 32 counts of rape against the accused, six relate to a 13-year-old boy who says he was sexually assaulted numerous times between May 2015 and February 2016.Another boy, who was 13 at the time, told investigators that Nguyapeua forced him to have sex on multiple occasions in September 2015.A third boy, who was 14 at the time, said he was molested and raped on several occasions between 2013 and 2015.The accused is also facing four counts of rape and an alternative charge of committing or attempting to commit a sexual act with a child below 16 years, when in 2015 he allegedly sexually assaulted a young boy who was in bed, sick.He allegedly forced the boy to watch pornographic movie clips and then assaulted him. A number of boys allege that the accused showed them pornographic material and then forced them to commit sexual acts with him.The state has submitted a list of 30 state witnesses who will testify during the trial. JANA-MARI SMITH

Hostel caretaker faces 32 rape charges

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Hostel caretaker faces 32 rape charges

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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