Preacher accused of sexually abusing girls while posing as missionary at Opuwo

The German man accused of sexually abusing Ovahimba girls allegedly used to preach at a church at Opuwo, the Oshakati High Court heard yesterday.

The man, who reportedly identified himself as a Dutch missionary based in Uganda, arrived in Namibia in June 2021.

During testimony, a pastor from the Opuwo church, of which the identity is being withheld to protect the victims, said the accused presented himself as a missionary intending to establish a Himba girls’ home and to provide them with education.

The man had been in contact with the pastor since April 2021, while he was still in Uganda discussing his plans.

“We met for the first time on Sunday, 5 June 2021, at a guest house at Opuwo. The next Sunday, he gave the word of God [he preached] in my church,” the pastor testified.

The accused also introduced his plan to establish a girls’ home during the church service, the pastor said.

Following his arrival, the accused, accompanied by the pastor, visited several Himba villages and a school to identify children who were not attending school.

The pastor said he and the accused visited villages such as Okauua, Orue, and Ohaywuua.

“He played games with the children. They also watched a movie. Some children were selected to be taken on a trip to Etosha National Park,” the pastor said.

He said this plan was ultimately rejected by their parents.

The pastor testified that the accused specifically asked to be taken to villages where children did not attend school.

During these visits, the man introduced himself and his plans to the community, and even conducted a Bible lesson at one school, which they visited.

The pastor also described how the accused recruited two young girls.

He said one Zemba girl was found playing alone at a location near Opuwo.

They allegedly spoke to the child and asked her to lead them to her parents’ house.

“We spoke to the mother and also to the father at a later stage. He told them that he wanted to send the girls to schools at Opuwo as well as private schools.

“The man asked the mother if the child had traditional attire. A few days later, we went to pick up the child, and we found her fully dressed in Zemba attire,” the pastor said.

The pastor detailed how he visited the accused’s residence daily to instruct the girl on daily tasks such as bathing and making beds.
The pastor further testified that the accused presented himself as a father figure to the children.

With the help of another pastor, Titus Kapunda, who acted as a translator, the accused recruited a second girl to live with him.

He said one Saturday while they were at a church event at Ruacana, the accused was approached by a police officer who asked him about sharing a room with the girls as this is not culturally appropriate.

“He said he was a father figure to them and he wanted them to feel like they are with their father in a children’s home,” the pastor said.

Confidente reported in 2022 that the accused was arrested in that year after being identified by 19 minors between the ages of five and 11 as a paedophile operating in the Kunene region.

The trial continues today.

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