No docket in court for child-rape case
Alleged serial rapist Gewen Gawa-nab (24) appeared before the Katutura Magistrate's Court on Wednesday but the docket was not available and Magistrate Loide Amwaandi-Ndangi had to postpone the matter to 29 January next year.
Gawa-nab is accused of raping a nine-year-old girl on 26 October. The incident occurred just west of the capital. He allegedly also mutilated her genitals. He fled into the mountains but was arrested in a shack in Otjomuise on 29 October.
At the time of the offence he was out on bail on another rape charge, with several other rape charges pending against him.
On Wednesday, he also appeared in court on a second rape charge. That matter was postponed to 18 December, pending the results of lab tests.
Gawa-nab was denied bail.
Victoria Thompson appeared on behalf of the State.
Reverend Zack Pienaar, the founder of the Voice of the Voiceless organisation, attended the proceedings on Wednesday to support the victim's family, whom he is counselling.
A handful of women dressed in black joined him in a silent protest against gender-based violence.
“One of these women is here today to support the family because she is also a survivor of rape when she was a mere seven years old. She says it destroyed her life,” Pienaar said.
“This man must be kept in custody. If he gets out, I will find him first,” said a family member who had found the little girl after the rape.
The girl's parents said their daughter was recovering from the injuries but still suffered from nightmares.
“She will return to school next year,” they said.
STAFF REPORTER
Gawa-nab is accused of raping a nine-year-old girl on 26 October. The incident occurred just west of the capital. He allegedly also mutilated her genitals. He fled into the mountains but was arrested in a shack in Otjomuise on 29 October.
At the time of the offence he was out on bail on another rape charge, with several other rape charges pending against him.
On Wednesday, he also appeared in court on a second rape charge. That matter was postponed to 18 December, pending the results of lab tests.
Gawa-nab was denied bail.
Victoria Thompson appeared on behalf of the State.
Reverend Zack Pienaar, the founder of the Voice of the Voiceless organisation, attended the proceedings on Wednesday to support the victim's family, whom he is counselling.
A handful of women dressed in black joined him in a silent protest against gender-based violence.
“One of these women is here today to support the family because she is also a survivor of rape when she was a mere seven years old. She says it destroyed her life,” Pienaar said.
“This man must be kept in custody. If he gets out, I will find him first,” said a family member who had found the little girl after the rape.
The girl's parents said their daughter was recovering from the injuries but still suffered from nightmares.
“She will return to school next year,” they said.
STAFF REPORTER
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