Hardap man convicted on baby-rape charge

A Hardap region resident has been convicted of raping a four-month-old baby in the Mariental district in November 2016.

Jonas Murao (47) was found guilty on six charges, including three counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and rape, in a judgement delivered in the Windhoek High Court on Friday.

Murao denied guilt on all of the charges when his trial started before judge Claudia Claasen last June.

The charges against Murao emanated from events that were alleged to have taken place at Hoachanas in the Mariental district in November 2008, February 2012, May 2016 and November 2016.

The state alleged that Murao raped a sleeping woman at Hoachanas on 12 November 2016, and on the same day also broke into a house at the settlement, carried off a four-month-old baby girl and raped her.