Child rapist gets 16-year jail term

AN OTJIWARONGO resident who was accused of repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl – and finally leaving her pregnant at the age of 12 – was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment after being convicted in the Otjiwarongo Regional Court on Thursday last week.

During his trial before Magistrate Desmond Beukes, Willie Erastus Goamub (38) admitted that he had intercourse with the child he was accused of having raped. He however claimed that she initiated the intercourse by approaching him and asking him to give love to her.Goamub, who is a boilermaker by trade, was charged with raping the girl on numerous occasions between January and December 2006.When the alleged incidents started, she was still 11 years old. The incidents came to light when it was discovered during 2007, by when the girl had turned 12 years of age, that she was pregnant.She later gave birth to a boy.During the trial the court heard that Goamub raped the girl at his home when his wife was at work or when he was home alone.The girl was in grade 5 at school when her pregnancy was discovered. She has not returned to school since her school education was interrupted by the pregnancy.Goamub was arrested in late July 2007.The girl told the court that after Goamub started raping her he promised he would pay her N$200 if she kept silent about the event. She said she however remained silent because he had also threatened her, telling her that he would beat her and kill both her and her mother if she were to report the incidents to anyone.While he admitted having had intercourse with the child, Goamub denied having threatened her.With the sentencing, the magistrate told him that the community would not tolerate behaviour like his. Instead of showing love to the girl, Goamub had extended only lust to her, he said.Public Prosecutor O.J. Lino represented the State. Goamub was not legally represented.