Man convicted of rape, incest to hear fate mid-November

"I trusted him with my child. I expected him to protect her like a father, but instead he raped her and physically and emotionally abused her."This is what the mother of a rape victim – whose father was found guilty of her rape and an additional charge of incest – said in the Windhoek High Court this week."I was with her when she had the abortion. I saw the pain and suffering myself. Everything my daughter has been through is because of him and he deserves to be severely punished," she told the court.The victim was reportedly 15 years old when her father first raped her. She was 17 when she had the abortion.The 54-year-old man&#039;s sentencing is scheduled for 14 November.Violated role of protector State prosecutor Palmer Khumalo pointed out during his closing arguments that the rape took place in a domestic environment."A father has a protective relationship towards his children. You are supposed to protect your children. He abused this relationship," Khumalo said and argued that the court should consider this as an aggravating factor.He also noted the man is a former police officer."He was in a protective position, not only for her [his daughter], but also society."According to Khumalo, the emotional testimony of the victim, along with her mother&#039;s, clearly illustrated the impact the events had on them."He broke the trust that the mother of his child and his daughter placed in him," Khumalo said.He further pointed out that incidents of rape are currently rampant in Namibia."A message must be sent that this court will protect children. The sentence should deter the public."He proposed that the court impose a sentence of at least 25 years in prison.&#039;Actions have consequences&#039;However, through his legal representative, the man begged the court to be merciful.His lawyer proposed the minimum prescribed sentence of 20 years in prison. He pointed out that if the man is sentenced to 20 years in prison, he will be 74 years old when he is released.Judge Claudia Claasen also asked Khumalo his opinion on the perpetrator&#039;s age.“Actions have consequences. He should be punished as required by law,” he replied.– kristien@nmh-hub.com.na

Man convicted of rape, incest to hear fate mid-November

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Man convicted of rape, incest to hear fate mid-November

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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