Tourist rape suspect on second sex charge

THE 21-year-old Windhoek resident accused of raping a Japanese tourist on the luxury tourist train, the Desert Express, last year, has been charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl in the Grootfontein Magistrate’s court.

Trevor Pieterse, who was out on bail for the first rape charge, appeared in court last Tuesday on charges of rape, theft and housebreaking. He pleaded guilty to stealing shoes, a shirt and a key, valued at approximately N$800, after breaking into a house at the Buitekamp extension on January 8.Magistrate Andre le Roux sentenced him to 18 months for theft.On January 9, Pieterse allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at a deserted house in the Luiperdheuwel extension of Grootfontein.According to Dominique Lisulo, State Prosecutor in the case, the complainant indicated at the court hearing that she wanted to withdraw the case because she is related to Pieterse.She has not yet filed an official withdrawal.The case was postponed until January 22.Pieterse was due to appear in court at Swakopmund last Thursday for the first rape case.He failed to turn up as he was still in Grootfontein.According to the Clerk of the Court at Swakopmund, the case was delayed until March 31.Pieterse, who worked on the Desert Express, was granted bail of N$800 by Magistrate Pieter Nangula in October last year.He was released about two weeks later after paying the bail money.He was in custody for almost two months after his arrest on August 23.The incident involving a 43-year-old Japanese woman, allegedly took place on the train on August 23.Pieterse was dismissed by TransNamib Holdings, his employer, following the incident.He pleaded guilty to stealing shoes, a shirt and a key, valued at approximately N$800, after breaking into a house at the Buitekamp extension on January 8. Magistrate Andre le Roux sentenced him to 18 months for theft. On January 9, Pieterse allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at a deserted house in the Luiperdheuwel extension of Grootfontein. According to Dominique Lisulo, State Prosecutor in the case, the complainant indicated at the court hearing that she wanted to withdraw the case because she is related to Pieterse. She has not yet filed an official withdrawal. The case was postponed until January 22. Pieterse was due to appear in court at Swakopmund last Thursday for the first rape case. He failed to turn up as he was still in Grootfontein. According to the Clerk of the Court at Swakopmund, the case was delayed until March 31. Pieterse, who worked on the Desert Express, was granted bail of N$800 by Magistrate Pieter Nangula in October last year. He was released about two weeks later after paying the bail money. He was in custody for almost two months after his arrest on August 23. The incident involving a 43-year-old Japanese woman, allegedly took place on the train on August 23. Pieterse was dismissed by TransNamib Holdings, his employer, following the incident.