Three accused of gang rape to go on trial in June this year

WINDHOEK, 11 APR – Three men from Otjorukune in the Gobabis district who allegedly gang raped a woman at the village in June 2014, will go on trial in the High Court here in June this year.
The three alleged gang rapists – Jan Gemeng, Tjaava Ebson and Godlieb Rapanka Katuuo – made another appearance in the High Court during a pre-trial conference of case management review, when they were informed that the case is set down for trial on 18 June 2018.
It will run until 26 June 2018.
High Court Judge Naomi Shivute will preside over the trial.
The trial date was decided upon as per an agreement reached by State Advocate Felistas Shikerete-Vendura and the accused’s defence lawyers Mese Tjituri, Mbanga Siyomuinji and Hipura Ujaha in court on Wednesday.
The trio faces nine charges of rape, one count of assault to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of common assault.
The three accused are charged with taking turns to rape the woman at Otjorukune on 17 June 2014.
It is alleged that the complainant was at a bar with her boyfriend and two other friends. The accused were said to be in the same bar.
They allegedly attacked her while she was walking home alone from the bar.
Her boyfriend, who heard her screaming, tried to help her, but accused Ebson and Katuuo reportedly assaulted him and managed to chase him away, reads the charge sheet.
It is further alleged that the three accused continued to assault the complainant until she was too weak to offer any resistance and then gang raped her.
All three accused are free on bail and their bail was extended until the start of the trail on 18 June 2018.

NAMPA