Former Okahandja Regional Councillor, Steve Biko Booys who stands accused of raping his 20-year-old daughter will appear in the Windhoek High Court on Friday, to appeal the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court’s refusal to grant him bail.
Booys who is alleged to have committed the offence in January 2021 at his Okahandja residence, has since been in custody and denied guilt. His criminal trial is before the Windhoek Regional Court. He faces two charges of rape and two alternative counts of incest.
It is alleged that the victim was asleep and intoxicated at the time of the commission of the offense. The State is refusing to grant Booys bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, the administration of justice and public interest.
It is also feared that he may interfere with investigations and witnesses. The State also argued that it has a strong case against him. Magistrate Victor Nyazo found that the state had established a strong case against Booys, through text messages he reportedly sent the victim after the alleged rape incidents. The state also fears that the accused may abscond. At a previous bail application, Booys testified that he has four children, that he is a public figure and a philanthropist. An investigator testified that Booys poured alcohol for the victim before the alleged rape incidents.
High Court Judges Christie Liebenberg and Christiaan Philanda will preside over the matter.
Source: Namibia Press Agency