Diplomat’s grandson appears in court

THE grandson of a Namibian diplomat, accused of assaulting and attempting to rape a Pretoria advocate, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Bail was set at R50 000, but by late yesterday afternoon this had not yet been paid. Although South African media reported that 20-year-old Zondi Ashipembe was released into the custody of the Namibian High Commission, Acting High Commissioner Morven Luswenyo told The Namibian that the family were still deciding whether to pay his bail.Ashipembe is listed as a dependant of Namibia’s Third Secretary at the mission, Maria Amathila.He is scheduled to reappear in court on November 9.Namibia agreed on Friday to waive the diplomatic immunity Ashipembe enjoyed as a relative of Amathila, for him to stand trial on the charges which also include housebreaking and robbery.Ashipembe was arrested and appeared in court three weeks ago, shortly after he allegedly committed the crimes, but the case was later scrapped from the roll because of his diplomatic immunity.South Africa then appealed to Namibia to allow him to face the charges.It is alleged Ashipembe broke into the house of Gerda Ferreira, tied her up, attempted to rape her twice and stole from her.Ashipembe lives in the same complex as Ferreira.Ferreira recently left the public service after formulating the charges in a high-profile case currently being heard in Durban against businessman Schabir Shaik for his role in the purchase of arms for the South African government.Although South African media reported that 20-year-old Zondi Ashipembe was released into the custody of the Namibian High Commission, Acting High Commissioner Morven Luswenyo told The Namibian that the family were still deciding whether to pay his bail.Ashipembe is listed as a dependant of Namibia’s Third Secretary at the mission, Maria Amathila.He is scheduled to reappear in court on November 9.Namibia agreed on Friday to waive the diplomatic immunity Ashipembe enjoyed as a relative of Amathila, for him to stand trial on the charges which also include housebreaking and robbery.Ashipembe was arrested and appeared in court three weeks ago, shortly after he allegedly committed the crimes, but the case was later scrapped from the roll because of his diplomatic immunity.South Africa then appealed to Namibia to allow him to face the charges.It is alleged Ashipembe broke into the house of Gerda Ferreira, tied her up, attempted to rape her twice and stole from her.Ashipembe lives in the same complex as Ferreira.Ferreira recently left the public service after formulating the charges in a high-profile case currently being heard in Durban against businessman Schabir Shaik for his role in the purchase of arms for the South African government.