Josephine Kalombo (21) earlier this month pleaded guilty to a charge that she had committed an offence under the Nursing Professions Act when she, without being qualified as a nurse, worked at the Robert Mugabe Clinic from May 23 to July 11 last year.

On Friday, Magistrate Sarel Jacobs let her off with a warning that will last for the next four years.

He sentenced her to a one-year prison term, which was suspended in full for four years on condition that Kalombo may not be convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.

Kalombo was arrested on July 11 last year, after she had been working without payment at the Robert Mugabe Clinic for close to two months without anyone noticing that she was in fact not qualified as a nurse.

When she pleaded guilty before Magistrate Jacobs almost three weeks ago, her defence lawyer, Boris Isaacks, told the Magistrate that Kalombo had gone to the clinic and started working there, diagnosing patients and dispensing medicine, because she wanted to prove to her sceptical family that she was serious about her ambition to study medicine after finishing school.

Although her conduct was against the law, she had noble intentions, and had been motivated by "youthful ignorance", Isaacks told the court.

He asked the Magistrate to impose a suspended sentence on Kalombo - and that is what she got on Friday.

Kalombo had been free on bail of N$800 while the charge against her remained pending.

Public Prosecutor Petrus Grusshaber represented the State.

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