Rehoboth teenage rape suspects released

WINDHOEK, 30 MAY  – The four teenage boys arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman in Rehoboth on Saturday were released to the care of their guardians without appearing in the Rehoboth Magistrate’s Court.
Upon enquiry on Tuesday, Simon Muhinda, deputy chief inspector of the Hardap Crime Investigations Unit confirmed that the teenagers were released on Monday, adding that investigations will start afresh in the matter as the victim could only identify one suspect out of the alleged five.
The victim alleges that five suspects gang-raped her in Rehoboth’s Block E residential area while threatening her with a screwdriver.
However, only four suspects between the ages of 16 and 18 were arrested in connection to the alleged rape incident
“After the case was opened, the victim in her initial statement said the suspects were five, but could only mention two names as she did not know the names of the others. The investigating officer then went [to] arrest the two suspects and when interrogated, they said they were not five, but four,” Muhinda said.
Muhinda further said during the identification parade, the victim could only point out one suspect and after consultations with the public prosecutor, it was decided that the suspects be released to the care of their guardians as they are juveniles.
“The victim was also intoxicated at the time of the incident and her version of the incident keeps changing and the investigating officer will restart and re-interview her,” he remarked.
The suspects are expected to appear in court on 09 June and investigations in the matter continue.
(NAMPA)