Diplomat’s grandson in Pretoria court today

THE grandson of a Namibian diplomat is scheduled to appear in the Pretoria Regional Court today to plead to charges of attempted rape, housebreaking and theft.

Twenty-year-old Ismael (Zondi) Ashipembe is the grandson of the Third Secretary in Namibia’s High Commission in Pretoria, Maria Amathila. Ashipembe made a brief appearance in court on Monday, when the matter was postponed until today.Prosecutor FJ van Zyl told The Namibian yesterday that depending on Ashipembe’s plea, the trial could also start today.Ashipembe remains out on bail.He is accused of attacking Advocate Gerda Ferreira in her home, which is near his grandmother’s, in October last year.He is alleged to have strangled and suffocated her, bit her on the head and attempted to rape her twice.Ferreira managed to escape.Ashipembe was arrested on the night of the attack after allegedly making off with some cash, but was released because he enjoyed diplomatic immunity as someone in Amathila’s care.He was rearrested to face the charges after the Namibian Government waived his immunity, and was released on bail of R50 000.Ashipembe also faces at least 61 cases of theft after allegedly stealing Ferreira’s bank card and withdrawing money from her account between May and August 2004.Amathila refused to answer any questions relating to Ashipembe when approached by The Namibian yesterday.Formerly a member of the National Prosecuting Authority, Ferreira was instrumental in formulating charges against Schabir Schaik, former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s financial advisor, who was found guilty of corruption in June.Ashipembe made a brief appearance in court on Monday, when the matter was postponed until today.Prosecutor FJ van Zyl told The Namibian yesterday that depending on Ashipembe’s plea, the trial could also start today.Ashipembe remains out on bail.He is accused of attacking Advocate Gerda Ferreira in her home, which is near his grandmother’s, in October last year.He is alleged to have strangled and suffocated her, bit her on the head and attempted to rape her twice.Ferreira managed to escape.Ashipembe was arrested on the night of the attack after allegedly making off with some cash, but was released because he enjoyed diplomatic immunity as someone in Amathila’s care.He was rearrested to face the charges after the Namibian Government waived his immunity, and was released on bail of R50 000.Ashipembe also faces at least 61 cases of theft after allegedly stealing Ferreira’s bank card and withdrawing money from her account between May and August 2004.Amathila refused to answer any questions relating to Ashipembe when approached by The Namibian yesterday.Formerly a member of the National Prosecuting Authority, Ferreira was instrumental in formulating charges against Schabir Schaik, former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s financial advisor, who was found guilty of corruption in June.