Rape-accused grandpa denied bail
The man is accused of raping his teenaged granddaughter on several occasions between March and November 2020, and was arrested in December 2020.
LEANDREA LOUW
WALVIS BAY
The bail application of a 67-year-old man accused of raping his 13-year-old granddaughter failed in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court last week.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, is a well-known figure in the Walvis Bay community.
He is accused of raping the minor girl on several occasions between March and November 2020.
The accused was arrested in December 2020 after the girl confided in a friend, who in turn advised her to tell the school. One of her teachers approached the police and a case was opened.
Magistrate John Sindano denied bail and postponed the case to 18 March for plea.
Mother tries to withdraw
The full reasons why bail was denied were not available, however, as part of the bail application, investigation officer Helena Kalipi said the accused faces three counts of rape and that the State is opposing bail on the grounds that the offence is serious and the accused may interfere.
On 18 February, “the victim’s mother approached our office and said she wants the matter to be withdrawn because the accused has been in custody and it is enough,” Kalipi said.
“She said that the accused should be released and that the victim would receive counselling. We told her that the case cannot be withdrawn and that she [the mother] is not the complainant.”
Kalipi said the mother initially cooperated. “The day the case was reported, the victim’s mother cooperated with us.”
‘More susceptible to Covid’
One of the reasons the accused applied for bail was due to congestion in holding cells and because of his age, and that due to this, he may be more susceptible to Covid-19.
“When the accused was arrested, no family member came to me to say that he suffers from a health condition. Looking at his age, it was decided to take him to Narraville holding cells as it has better conditions. The accused did not approach me, neither the station commander,” Kalipi said.
The officer indicated that investigations into the matter are complete, and that “there are no outstanding issues”.
The state was represented by Maggy Shiyagaya, while the accused was represented by Ray Rukoro.
WALVIS BAY
The bail application of a 67-year-old man accused of raping his 13-year-old granddaughter failed in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court last week.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, is a well-known figure in the Walvis Bay community.
He is accused of raping the minor girl on several occasions between March and November 2020.
The accused was arrested in December 2020 after the girl confided in a friend, who in turn advised her to tell the school. One of her teachers approached the police and a case was opened.
Magistrate John Sindano denied bail and postponed the case to 18 March for plea.
Mother tries to withdraw
The full reasons why bail was denied were not available, however, as part of the bail application, investigation officer Helena Kalipi said the accused faces three counts of rape and that the State is opposing bail on the grounds that the offence is serious and the accused may interfere.
On 18 February, “the victim’s mother approached our office and said she wants the matter to be withdrawn because the accused has been in custody and it is enough,” Kalipi said.
“She said that the accused should be released and that the victim would receive counselling. We told her that the case cannot be withdrawn and that she [the mother] is not the complainant.”
Kalipi said the mother initially cooperated. “The day the case was reported, the victim’s mother cooperated with us.”
‘More susceptible to Covid’
One of the reasons the accused applied for bail was due to congestion in holding cells and because of his age, and that due to this, he may be more susceptible to Covid-19.
“When the accused was arrested, no family member came to me to say that he suffers from a health condition. Looking at his age, it was decided to take him to Narraville holding cells as it has better conditions. The accused did not approach me, neither the station commander,” Kalipi said.
The officer indicated that investigations into the matter are complete, and that “there are no outstanding issues”.
The state was represented by Maggy Shiyagaya, while the accused was represented by Ray Rukoro.
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