Rape charge dropped against Swakopmund businessman

TWO years after she had allegedly been raped, a young woman from Swakopmund withdrew the charge last week.

The day after she faced ruthless cross-examination behind the closed door of the Regional Courtroom in Swakopmund, the overwrought woman decided to end the unnerving judicial process she was entangled in since early 2005. Crying inconsolably in the corridor outside the courtroom, she told The Namibian: “I just want it all to be over.I can’t carry on like this.It’s been too long …too much.I just want to forget it now.”The accused, Peter Louw, was arrested in March 2005 after he allegedly raped the woman at his home.According to the Police report, sex was initially consensual, but later turned violent.Last week, Louw offered an apology, saying that he would have done so much sooner if not for the bail condition that he was not to contact her in any way.He also offered to pay for her medical costs, which she said added up to N$12 000.”It is unfortunate that this had to end up in court,” Louw said after being acquitted.Louw, a prominent local businessman, was represented by Christo van Rensburg and Windhoek-based advocate Louis Botes.Tania Tait handled the prosecution and Magistrate Gert Retief was on the bench.Crying inconsolably in the corridor outside the courtroom, she told The Namibian: “I just want it all to be over.I can’t carry on like this.It’s been too long …too much.I just want to forget it now.”The accused, Peter Louw, was arrested in March 2005 after he allegedly raped the woman at his home.According to the Police report, sex was initially consensual, but later turned violent.Last week, Louw offered an apology, saying that he would have done so much sooner if not for the bail condition that he was not to contact her in any way.He also offered to pay for her medical costs, which she said added up to N$12 000.”It is unfortunate that this had to end up in court,” Louw said after being acquitted.Louw, a prominent local businessman, was represented by Christo van Rensburg and Windhoek-based advocate Louis Botes.Tania Tait handled the prosecution and Magistrate Gert Retief was on the bench.