Taxi driver facing rape charge, denied bail

Johannes Namandje (38) accused of abducting and raping a 13 year old minor in Kuisebmond last week appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s court. 

The incident allegedly took place at the suspect’s place in Kuisebmond on Tuesday night after the victim apparently got into the taxi he was driving, to go to the Rundu taxi rank.

It is further alleged that the taxi driver drove the minor to the taxi rank but when they got to the taxi rank, there were no buses.

Nampol’s Chief Inspector Erastus Iikuyu confirmed the incident last week and said that when it started to get dark, the victim told him to take her back home and that she would return the following day.

Iikuyu added that Namandje allegedly then suggested to the minor to go home with him and that he would drop her off at the rank.

When she refused, he allegedly forcefully took her back to his place where he raped her before dropping her off at the taxi rank the next day.

The accused appeared before Magistrate John Sindano Liwoyo who did not grant him bail.

The matter was postponed to 25 June for formal bail hearing and the suspect remains in custody.