Zorena Jantze
A string of text messages presented in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court has revealed damning details in the rape case of former Okahandja regional councillor and ex-parliamentarian Steve Biko Booys, who in one of the text messages, expressed that he had been drunk and made a mistake.
Booys who appeared before magistrate, Khaepriums Swartz was arrested on 2 February 2021 and was charged with two counts of rape and incest. It is further alleged that the complainant, aged 20 was raped while she was affected by intoxicating liquor or a substance that mentally incapacitated her. The rape allegedly took place on two different occasions, namely, 16 and 17 January 2021 at the home of the accused.
Public Prosecutor, Bernadine Bertolini at the continuation of the bail hearing which started last week Thursday stated that the state opposes bail as it would not be in the interest of the public or the administration of Justice. Bertolini stated that Booy’s has been untruthful during the court proceeding and as such the state cannot take his word that he would stand trial and not abscond.
“During your initial testimony, you indicated that you came to hear of the alleged rape allegations through your mother, which thereafter you handed yourself in. You further stated that you did not make any contact with the complainant after the dates of the alleged rape. However the complainant confronted you about the alleged rape on 18 January 2021,” Bertolini said.
She noted that on 18 January 2021 at around 10:51 AM, the complainant sent texts to Booys which read, “Please don’t call ousie even, Daddy do you know how you sleeping with me scared me. You were supposed to protect me.”
Bertolini further read texts sent from Booys on 18 January 2021 to the complainant at 10:12 AM which read, “And you reported the case of rape against me now?”
In another text sent at 10:20 AM on the same day, Booys continues chatting with the complainant and wrote, “Please my child, even if everything, things can be there, not this. Please my child. We were both drunk and maybe we made a mistake, but we can not let it destroy us.”
In one of his last messages sent on 18 January 2021, at around 13:27 PM Booys further wrote, “You are going to destroy my life and career with this. Why?”
After presenting this text messages to court, Bertolini argued that Booys did not only lie about not making contact with the victim but that the text reveals that Booys had tried to interfere with the victim laying a charge against him.
Whilst admitting that the text messages were sent from a number that is registered on his name, Booy’s however denied sending the incriminating texts.
Bertolini further noted that due to his position in the community in Okahandja, Booys could use his contacts to interfere with witnesses or investigations. She further noted that the two counts of rape charges would most likely result in a lengthy sentence which could tempt anyone into running away.
The bail application trial is expected to continue tomorrow.
