Doctor admits sexual encounter, denies drugging complainant

Onandjokwe District Hospital medical doctor Dennis Noa, 31, has admitted having sexual intercourse with a male complainant but denied allegations that he administered drugs to him before the encounter.Noa told the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Friday that the sexual encounter was not completed because the complainant had not cleaned himself properly.He made the admission while testifying under oath during the continuation of his formal bail application before magistrate Shantell-Antoinette Wanga-Harris.Noa faces one count of sexual assault arising from an alleged incident at his official residence at Onandjokwe Hospital on 17 July.He testified that they opened a window for ventilation after the encounter before discussing a car deal, drinking alcohol and having dinner.During cross-examination, State prosecutor Bernadine Bertolini put it to Noa that he had administered drugs to the complainant, an allegation he denied.Noa maintained that the complainant had requested medication himself and that their sexual encounter had taken place before the request.He confirmed that he suffers from anxiety disorder and high blood pressure, for which he said he had been prescribed Ashwagandha and Diazepam.Questioned about the medication's side effects, Noa told the court that the drugs could cause unconsciousness and memory problems and should therefore be prescribed by a medical doctor."As a medical professional understanding the effects of the medication, why did you go ahead and give it?" Bertolini asked.Noa responded that he considered himself a private individual rather than a doctor when at home.The prosecutor challenged this explanation, arguing that his medical knowledge and understanding of the drugs' effects did not disappear simply because he was at home.Bertolini also suggested that the complainant trusted Noa because the two were familiar with each other.Noa disputed that characterisation, describing their relationship as one involving friendship and sexual intimacy."The complainant and I communicated about 122 times and I have known him for 2 months and 10 days. I appreciate him as a person, he was respectful and I started liking him as an individual," Noa testified.Meeting arranged to celebrate salaryThe court also heard conflicting accounts of the telephone calls preceding the alleged incident.Bertolini put it to Noa that he had called the complainant twice on 17 and 18 July, but Noa disputed the prosecutor's account.He testified that the complainant had contacted him to celebrate receiving his first salary and that they subsequently arranged to meet on 17 July."I then called him twice on different occasions to ensure that he was still coming and he confirmed, although he did not have taxi money and I paid for his taxi to come to my place," he said.Noa said he bought six draught beers for the complainant, vodka for himself and food for the celebration.The prosecutor also questioned Noa about his medical training and employment history.Noa testified that he completed his medical degree in 2019 and began an internship at Katutura State Hospital in 2020.He said the internship was terminated in 2021 after he had served for eight months.Asked why his internship ended, Noa attributed the termination to personal matters unrelated to his professional duties, without providing further details.He told the court that he remained unemployed for four years before applying for internship positions at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and Onandjokwe District Hospital, where he was eventually placed.When questioned about his current employment status and whether his internship contract had been terminated, Noa said he had applied for special leave.The matter was postponed to today for the scheduling of further cross-examination.

Doctor admits sexual encounter, denies drugging complainant

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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Doctor admits sexual encounter, denies drugging complainant

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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