Bail for man who allegedly raped minor

A Windhoek man who was detained for several weeks after he being arrested in February for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl was released on bail last week.

Etienne Fourie (40) was released after a successful bail application on Friday for which he was ordered to pay N$6 000 in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court before magistrate Ivan Gawanab.

Public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk opposed bail because of the seriousness of the charge, the possibility that the accused could interfere with witnesses, the risk that he could flee to South Africa and the strong evidence the State has against him.

Fourie's legal representative, Johan van Vuuren, argued that his client had no reason to flee as his family is in Namibia and he currently does not have a valid passport.

Both the victim and her father testified against Fourie during previous bail appearances. The girl was allegedly raped at her parents' home, where Fourie was vitsiting that day.

He is due to appear in court again on 30 May.

Van Wyk told the court that cellphone footage was part of the investigation against Fourie.

- [email protected]