Windhoek: A man accused of raping four women and a four-month-old baby girl between 2012 and 2016 pleaded not guilty at the start of his trial in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday. Jonas Morao, who faces a total of nine charges including housebreaking, entered a not guilty plea to all the charges as read out to him by Deputy Prosecutor General, State Advocate Dominic Lisulo.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Morao's legal troubles allegedly began between 19 and 22 November 2008 when he reportedly broke into a shop at Hoachanas and stole alcohol, cigarettes, and cash. In relation to this incident, he faces three charges of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. In February 2012, Morao allegedly broke into the home of a woman at Hoachanas with the intention to rape her and allegedly entered the house to commit an unspecified offense.

Further allegations state that on 14 May 2016, Morao broke into the home of another woman, his cousin, and raped her. He also faces an alternative charge of indecent assault for allegedly assaulting the victim by pulling down her underpants. Moreover, on 12 November 2016, the suspect is accused of raping another woman while she was asleep and, on the same day, abducting and raping a four-month-old baby after breaking into her parents' home.

Morao, represented by Mariental-based Lawyer Peru Liebenberg, remains out on a warning. The proceedings continue before Judge Claudia Claasen.