Helvy Shaanika
17 June 2011
Oshakati — A man accused of sodomising 17 boys from a village in Omungwelume was denied bail yesterday when he appeared before the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.
Sarel Johannes Mudge (52), allegedly sexually molested 17 boys between the ages of nine and 11 at Ohongo village of Omungwelume in Ohangwena between November 2010 and June 12 this year.
The boys were allegedly lured while coming from school and whenever Mudge found easy prey in the village. He allegedly lured his victims with sweets or chips.
Police have found piles of pornographic gay magazines and videos among Mudge’s personal belongings, which might be used as evidence in court.
Meanwhile, some members of the community at Okatana village earlier reported a white man who they suspected to have raped children at the village. But before police could initiate investigations, the white man who was camping near an earth dam at the village, vanished into thin air.
According to Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas of Ohangwena Regional Police, it is suspected that Mudge could have been the man in question, thus he has also been linked to the Okatana incidents.
Although Namibians have the right to live at any place, Mudge’s move to a village raised eyebrows and suspicion after he gave up his town life at Otjiwarongo to settle at someone else’s homestead deep in the village. It is alleged that the house where he was staying belonged to the mother of his friend who is employed as an insurance sales person.
While in court, Mudge avoided facing the audience and made obscene gestures at journalists who were trying to photograph him as he left the court.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Man in Court for Sodomy