Rooinasie murder suspect in custody

WINDHOEK SELMA IKELA

The police have confirmed the arrest of a suspect in the brutal rape and murder of 19-year-old Desiree Rooinasie.
Detective Chief Inspector Barry De Klerk told Namibian Sun yesterday the suspect was arrested on April 14 and has already appeared in the Katutura Magistrate's Court.
He said the suspect is remanded in custody and his next court appearance is on June 27.
When asked about the suspect's name, age and whether he had any link or relationship to Rooinasie, De Klerk said these questions could be answered by the court, which at that stage was already closed for the day.
Rooinasie was raped and killed at the end of last month when a suspect gained entry to her shack in Goreangab by cutting through corrugated iron sheets. De Klerk indicated that the cause of death was strangulation.
Rooinasie's family said yesterday that they were aware that a suspect had been arrested, but they were waiting for the results of DNA tests being conducted in South Africa.
We are worried it may not be him, like in the Magdalena Stoffels case, the family spokesperson said.
Magdalena Stoffels, 17, was raped and murdered in 2010 and a suspect in her case was released after DNA evidence could not link him to the crime.
Rooinasie's family say they are aware that the police had followed up several leads in her case and when they had asked about the progress of investigations, they were told to give the police time.
They had also given their assistance during the investigation.
Meanwhile, Namibian Sun also inquired whether any suspects had been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of 17-year-old Augustineum schoolgirl Rina ! Nau/gawases, who was killed in Goreangab informal settlement early last month. The body of the Grade 10 pupil was found about a kilometre away from her home.
De Klerk told Namibian Sun that no suspects had been arrested yet.
At this stage several leads are being followed, he said.