Rape-accused teacher faces double-sword investigations

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEK Apart from state criminal investigations, a ministerial team has been tasked to investigate allegations that Jan Mohr Secondary School teacher Nathaniel Kamatuka (53), who is accused of raping a learner last week, committed similar abuse seven years ago.This follows claims that Kamatuka was let off the hook despite being subjected to a disciplinary hearing for allegedly committing the same crimes in 2014.Protesters under the #ShutItAllDown banner - accompanied by Popular Democratic Movement youth league members as well as the Namibia Student Union - gathered at the school to protest the incident.Kamatuka was arrested over the weekend, which angered Namibians who asked why he was allowed to continue teaching despite being accused of sexual crimes.Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp yesterday confirmed that there were allegations made seven years ago and that these files are still with the regional office.“The only reason a case was withdrawn internally is when the witness or the victim refused to provide evidence. If there is no evidence that could be used on the basis of probability, then a case cannot proceed as per the grievance procedures,” she said.Steenkamp added that a team has been tasked to investigate whether Kamatuka has committed these crimes before and what happened during his disciplinary hearing.“They will determine if this already happened in 2014, what happened in the disciplinary process, what was lacking and why the case did not proceed,” she said.ControversyKamatuka, a former teacher and hostel superintendent, who made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday, has been charged with two counts of rape of learners, including that of a minor learner.Magistrate Samunzala Samunzala informed Kamutuka that the initial charges of sodomy had now been changed to two counts of rape, pointing out that relating to the first charge of rape, Kamatuka stands accused of having inserted his penis into the anus of the complainant without consent.Kamatuka told the court that he has no intention to interfere with the investigation or learners at the school because he resigned last Friday.He also indicated that he will enlist a private lawyer through which he will bring a counter charge that these charges are just a complot against him.The matter is remanded to 5 March to allow for further police investigations and to allow Kamatuka to find legal representation.jemima@namibiansun.com

Rape-accused teacher faces double-sword investigations

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-03

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Rape-accused teacher faces double-sword investigations

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-03

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