Keetman’s rape suspects want another lawyer

THE two suspects in a child-rape trial being heard in the High Court at Keetmanshoop have requested the withdrawal of their lawyer, Clive Kavendjii.

Two two, whose names may not be revealed, are facing charges of rape, attempted murder, kidnapping – alternatively abduction – and drugging a female for unlawful carnal intercourse. The trial stems from the alleged gang rape of a 10-year-old girl related to one of the suspects.The suspects have pleaded not guilty to all charges.When the trial resumed on Tuesday, the two suspects told Judge Kato van Niekerk that they do not want their trial to proceed with Kavendjii as their legal representative.They claimed that Kavendjii had failed to follow their instructions when their trial started two weeks ago.”We foresee a lengthy sentence if we allowed the defence counsel to proceed with the trial,” the older accused said.The court heard the suspects’ request in the absence of Kavendjii, who did not show up at Tuesday’s hearing.Kavendjii, of the law firm Hengari, Kangueehi, Kavendjii Inc, was instructed by the Legal Aid Directorate to represent the suspects.The suspects also requested the judge to grant them bail.They claimed that if they were free on bail, it would be easier for them to find a lawyer of their own choice.”We were forced to use the service of a lawyer provided by the Legal Aid Directorate,” the younger accused said.Judge Van Niekerk dismissed the bail request and advised the accused to file a proper bail application.”The court will not consider a informal bail application,” she said.The two suspects are accused of raping and stabbing the young girl at a village in the Karas Region on February 5 2006.It is charged that the younger accused snatched the girl from her bed at 21h30 while she was sleeping.In terms of an order by the Judge Van Niekerk, no information that could reveal the identity of the victim may be published.The trial stems from the alleged gang rape of a 10-year-old girl related to one of the suspects.The suspects have pleaded not guilty to all charges.When the trial resumed on Tuesday, the two suspects told Judge Kato van Niekerk that they do not want their trial to proceed with Kavendjii as their legal representative.They claimed that Kavendjii had failed to follow their instructions when their trial started two weeks ago.”We foresee a lengthy sentence if we allowed the defence counsel to proceed with the trial,” the older accused said.The court heard the suspects’ request in the absence of Kavendjii, who did not show up at Tuesday’s hearing.Kavendjii, of the law firm Hengari, Kangueehi, Kavendjii Inc, was instructed by the Legal Aid Directorate to represent the suspects.The suspects also requested the judge to grant them bail.They claimed that if they were free on bail, it would be easier for them to find a lawyer of their own choice.”We were forced to use the service of a lawyer provided by the Legal Aid Directorate,” the younger accused said.Judge Van Niekerk dismissed the bail request and advised the accused to file a proper bail application.”The court will not consider a informal bail application,” she said.The two suspects are accused of raping and stabbing the young girl at a village in the Karas Region on February 5 2006.It is charged that the younger accused snatched the girl from her bed at 21h30 while she was sleeping.In terms of an order by the Judge Van Niekerk, no information that could reveal the identity of the victim may be published.