No bail for woman (24) accused of raping minor

24-year-old Catherine Kooper, the woman who is charged with entering into a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old teenager (a minor), will remain behind bars. State prosecutor Paulus Shilongo opposed bail, as sex with a minor constitutes statutory rape which is a serious offence.

Kooper made her second court appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrates Court on 23 November. She is charged with rape. The case was remanded to 5 February 2018 for further police investigation. Kooper appeared before magistrate Conchita Olivier. Although her right to a formal bail application was explained to Kooper in her first court appearance on 9 October, the prosecutor Shilongo still opposed bail as there is a fear that the accused may abscond. He also argued it is in public interest that suspects accused of sexual crimes remain in custody.
According to police reports, the suspect allegedly started a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old boy in August this year. It is alleged the suspect accommodated the victim at her place and they performed sexual acts on numerous occasions. The police further state the victim dropped out of school due to the relationship. The relationship was ended on 5 October this year.
Kooper was arrested on a charge of rape (combating of immoral practice Act, Act 21 of 1980). The charge was laid at the Mondesa police station.