Zondi Ashipembe (20) is accused of twice attempting to rape former Scorpions advocate Gerda Ferreira in her home in Pretoria last October.

The other charges relate to theft from Ferreira, including stealing her bank card and making withdrawals from her accounts and breaking into her house and stealing items.

The case stalled last month, when Ashipembe's lawyer indicated to the Pretoria Regional Court that Namibia had only given the green light for his client to stand trial on two charges of attempted rape and a charge of housebreaking and robbery at Ferreira's home on the night of the attack.

Ashipembe enjoys diplomatic immunity as a grandchild in the care of Namibia's Third Secretary at Namibia's High Commission in Pretoria, Maria Amathila.

South Africa had to make another application to Namibia last month to waive Ashipembe's immunity beyond the three charges it had agreed to last year already.

Prosecutor FJ van Zyl informed the Pretoria Regional Court on Thursday that he would be prepared to proceed with evidence when the case resumes on November 9.

Ashipembe will then also be expected to plead to all the charges against him.

He has already pleaded not guilty to the first charge of housebreaking on an occasion before the alleged attack on Ferreira.

Ashipembe is accused of breaking into Ferreira's home on the night of October 13, threatening her with a knife, strangling and suffocating her and attempting to rape her twice.

He was arrested shortly afterwards, but the charges had to be dropped because of his diplomatic status.

Only once Namibia agreed that his immunity be waived, could the charges be laid again.

Ferreira was a key witness in the corruption trail of Schabir Schaik, former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma's financial advisor, having investigated the case while still employed by the National Prosecuting Authority.

Ashipembe remains out on bail of N$50 000.

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