Namibian diplomat’s grandson to appear in Pretoria court

THE grandson of a Namibian diplomat based in Pretoria, South Africa, is due to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today on charges of housebreaking with intent to rob, aggravated robbery and two charges of attempted rape.

Twenty-year-old Zondi Ashipembe was arrested on Friday, accused of attacking Advocate Gerda Ferreira in her home nearly three weeks ago. Listed as a dependant of the Third Secretary at the Namibian High Commission in South Africa, Maria Amathila, Ashipembe also enjoyed diplomatic immunity and was initially released from Police custody on October 20.At the request of South Africa, the Namibian Government on Thursday agreed to waive his immunity.Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Veiccoh Nghiwete yesterday confirmed Ashipembe’s arrest and said the Namibian Government would allow him to stand trial in South Africa to defend the charges.”It is a very serious case he is alleged to be involved in.That’s why Government decided to waive his right to immunity so that he can stand trial and defend himself,” Nghiwete told The Namibian yesterday.Namibia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Wilbard Helao has been in Namibia since Ashipembe’s original arrest and maintained yesterday that he knew nothing about the case.He said that his officials in South Africa had not communicated the latest developments to him and could not provide The Namibian with contact details for the Acting High Commissioner.”I’m not well updated on the story,” he said “I don’t know what has been happening.”Ahipembe is accused of breaking into Ferreira’s townhouse which is in the same complex as that of his grandmother.He allegedly tied the woman up, bit and assaulted her and tried to rape her twice.Ferreira escaped through a window to call for help.She is a key witness in the corruption trial of Schabir Shaik, who is accused of involvement in the South African government’s alleged shady arms deal.Listed as a dependant of the Third Secretary at the Namibian High Commission in South Africa, Maria Amathila, Ashipembe also enjoyed diplomatic immunity and was initially released from Police custody on October 20.At the request of South Africa, the Namibian Government on Thursday agreed to waive his immunity.Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Veiccoh Nghiwete yesterday confirmed Ashipembe’s arrest and said the Namibian Government would allow him to stand trial in South Africa to defend the charges.”It is a very serious case he is alleged to be involved in.That’s why Government decided to waive his right to immunity so that he can stand trial and defend himself,” Nghiwete told The Namibian yesterday.Namibia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Wilbard Helao has been in Namibia since Ashipembe’s original arrest and maintained yesterday that he knew nothing about the case.He said that his officials in South Africa had not communicated the latest developments to him and could not provide The Namibian with contact details for the Acting High Commissioner.”I’m not well updated on the story,” he said “I don’t know what has been happening.”Ahipembe is accused of breaking into Ferreira’s townhouse which is in the same complex as that of his grandmother.He allegedly tied the woman up, bit and assaulted her and tried to rape her twice.Ferreira escaped through a window to call for help.She is a key witness in the corruption trial of Schabir Shaik, who is accused of involvement in the South African government’s alleged shady arms deal.