Former hostel caretaker denies raping boys

WINDHOEK, 20 JUN  – A former hostel caretaker at the Karundu Primary School in Otjiwarongo charged with the rape of 10 boys at the school hostel over a period of three years on Wednesday denied committing the offences.
Mervin Nguyapeua denied the offences when he entered “not guilty pleas” to 32 charges of rape and 27 alternative charges of committing sexual acts involving 10 boys younger than 16 from 2013 to 2015 when he was employed as caretaker at that school hostel.
The 48-year-old pled as per the instructions he gave his State-funded defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht, when his trial kicked-off before High Court Judge Alfred Siboleka on Wednesday.
Nguyapeua did not disclose anything in respect of his “not guilty pleas” to the charges, and is now challenging the prosecution to prove each and every element contained in the charges against him.
State witness Anna Amalama Timoteus, a teacher at the school in her evidence before court gave detailed information about the boys who approached her in respect of the former hostel caretaker’s behaviours.
Timoteus continues with her testimony for the rest of Wednesday after which she will cross-examined by Engelbrecht.
A case of sexual molestation was opened against the former hostel caretaker at the Otjiwarongo Police Station in March 2016 and the accused was arrested shortly afterwards.
According to a summary of substantial facts contained in the charge sheet, he allegedly committed the offences while living at the hostel of that school.
He was regarded as a father figure by learners who stayed in the hostel at the time.
The trial continues on Thursday.
Nguyapeua remains in custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility’s trial-awaiting section, where he has been since his arrest with no option to post bail.
State advocate Seredine Jacobs is appearing for the prosecution.
(NAMPA)