By Simon Liseli
A former employee of Road Construction Company (RCC) Mr. German Venomwinyo Jezurura (36) has been convicted for rape by Katima Mulilo Regional court magistrate Mr. William Kasitom on September 6.
Mr. Jezurura was convicted of two counts of rape contravening section 2 (1)(a) of the Combating of Rape Act, Act 8 of 2000 and one count of assault with intent to cause bodily harm .
He was employed as an assistant mechanic by RCC at Rundu at the time of committing the crime.
According to the state Jezurura called Manas Mwilima (30) at RCC premises during his stay in Katima Mulilo where he assaulted the victim before raping her twice in two different Caravans.
Mwilima, started screaming and drew the attention of security guards who then went to the scene but refused to help her arguing that she had entered the premises without their knowledge. Mwilima was only released the following morning by Jezurura.
After being released she went to inform her relatives Mr. Jimu Kareb and Mr. Bernard Shimwe that she had been raped and the matter was reported to the police while the victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination.
The trial commenced in the regional court on 10 September 2008 and on September 6, 2012. The accused The matter was then postponed to 5 October 2012 for sentence.
Mr. Jezurura pleaded not guilty to all charges. During mitigation he appealed to the court to pass a lenient sentence as he was a first time offender and is married with a four month old child and other four children aged between four and seven years who needs his support for their survival.
In aggravation the State Prosecutor Mr. Jatiel Mudamburi told the court that the accused has been convicted of a serious offence which is prevalent not only in Caprivi but country wide.
“In general women are vulnerable and weak; such that they become a target from men who are unable to control their sexual desire “said the public Prosecutor.
He added that rapists do not murder their victims but destroys the integrity and self-esteem of their victims for the rest of their lives. Mudamburi mentioned that no civilized community should have to tolerate barbaric conduct especially of those who have no respect for the rights of others.
“The public look upon the courts to pass sentence which sends messages not only to the accused but to others who might want to commit the offence” he added.
Prosecutor Mudamburi suggested sentencing the accused to 24 years imprisonment.
He was out on bail of N$2000.00 but upon his conviction bail was cancelled and was remanded in police custody.
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