The trial of Johann Maree, the man accused of molesting 15 teenage boys and supplying them with alcohol between 2016 and 2020, will only commence in September after the Directorate of Legal Aid appointed a new lawyer to represent him.

Meriam Kandoni is replacing Tuna Nhinda, who withdrew his services, citing untenable instructions. Nhinda, informed High Court Judge Christiaan Philanda on Monday about his intentions to withdraw, adding that he also did not receive the full docket.

Maree’s trial was scheduled to begin in the High Court on Monday. He faces 75 charges including 24 counts of rape, 10 charges of using a child to create child pornography, 18 counts of child trafficking and 13 charges of supplying alcohol to a child under the age of 18. According to the indictment, Maree raped 13 of the boys and used ten of them for child pornography. The accused, who is also a former police reservist, has been denied bail since his incarceration.

The matter will return to court next week Monday, for Kandoni to place herself on record as Maree’s legal representative. State Prosecutor Palmer Khumalo indicated that the state is ready to provide the disclosure but without the explicit images of the victims who are minors.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency