Desert Express rape case postponed again

THE case of a waiter who stands accused of raping a Japanese tourist aboard the Desert Express train last year was again postponed in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Trevor Glen Pieterse (21) from Windhoek, who is currently serving an 18 months sentence for theft at Grootfontein, was absent in court yesterday. Magistrate Gibson Imbili postponed the case to May 26 for the Prosecutor-General’s decision.The warrant for his arrest, which was held over when he was absent for his hearing on January 15 at Swakopmund, will again stand over until May 26.Pieterse, who was granted bail of N$800 in October last year, stands accused on a second charge of rape at Grootfontein involving a 15-year-old girl.He is alleged to have raped the teenager in January.He pleaded not guilty to the charge at the beginning of March.The case was postponed to June 14 for the Prosecutor-General’s decision.Pieterse’s legal representative, Titus Mbaeva of Mbaeva and Associates in Windhoek, said yesterday that although the State was contending the case was a matter of public interest, it could be problematic to conclude should the Japanese tourist decide not to return to Namibia to testify.”If the complainant is not in court for cross-examination, the State might have to withdraw the case.”The lawyer said Pieterse was granted bail in October after nearly two months in custody, as there was no perceived threat to the life of the complainant who had returned to Japan shortly after the incident.The incident involving a 43-year-old Japanese woman, allegedly took place on board the train on August 23.Pieterse was arrested when the train reached Swakopmund.Mbaeva was instructed to represent Pieterse after his application for legal aid was granted.The accused has another legal representative for the rape case at Grootfontein.Magistrate Gibson Imbili postponed the case to May 26 for the Prosecutor-General’s decision.The warrant for his arrest, which was held over when he was absent for his hearing on January 15 at Swakopmund, will again stand over until May 26.Pieterse, who was granted bail of N$800 in October last year, stands accused on a second charge of rape at Grootfontein involving a 15-year-old girl.He is alleged to have raped the teenager in January.He pleaded not guilty to the charge at the beginning of March.The case was postponed to June 14 for the Prosecutor-General’s decision.Pieterse’s legal representative, Titus Mbaeva of Mbaeva and Associates in Windhoek, said yesterday that although the State was contending the case was a matter of public interest, it could be problematic to conclude should the Japanese tourist decide not to return to Namibia to testify.”If the complainant is not in court for cross-examination, the State might have to withdraw the case.”The lawyer said Pieterse was granted bail in October after nearly two months in custody, as there was no perceived threat to the life of the complainant who had returned to Japan shortly after the incident.The incident involving a 43-year-old Japanese woman, allegedly took place on board the train on August 23.Pieterse was arrested when the train reached Swakopmund.Mbaeva was instructed to represent Pieterse after his application for legal aid was granted.The accused has another legal representative for the rape case at Grootfontein.