Doctor acquitted of rape arrested over new assault claim

A 31-year-old medical doctor stationed at Onandjokwe Hospital has been arrested on allegations of rape, less than two years after the Windhoek High Court acquitted him in a previous rape case.

According to the police, the doctor was arrested after a 26-year-old man alleged that he was drugged and raped in the doctor's room at Onandjokwe Hospital at around 02:00 on Saturday.

Police allege the suspect invited the complainant to Oniipa to celebrate the complainant's recent new job appointment.

The complainant reportedly at first declined the invitation due to lack of travel funds, but the doctor allegedly paid for the journey, police said.

After arriving at the hospital, the two reportedly went to the doctor's room, where they consumed alcohol, including Windhoek Draught beer and Smirnoff 1818 vodka.

According to the police report, the doctor later took two cups containing vodka into the kitchen before returning and telling the complainant he had mixed the drinks with "something lemony".

The complainant told investigators that after taking two sips, he noticed what appeared to be a dissolving tablet in the drink before becoming nauseous and disorientated.

Police allege the doctor then forcibly penetrated the complainant.

The complainant reportedly resisted, screamed for help and vomited during the alleged assault before overpowering the suspect.

Finding the door locked, he allegedly smashed a window and escaped.

According to the police report, the complainant has no recollection of what happened after fleeing the room and only regained consciousness while lying on a hospital bed.

Both the complainant and the suspect underwent medical examinations, during which rape kits were collected as part of the investigation.

Police said the complainant and the suspect first met in May this year when the complainant was working as a taxi driver, and the doctor was one of his customers.

Material shortcomings

This marks the second time the doctor has faced rape allegations before the courts.

In the earlier case, the doctor was prosecuted over allegations that he raped an 18-year-old male patient at Katutura Intermediate Hospital while the patient was receiving treatment following a road accident in April 2021.

The Windhoek Regional Court convicted him and imposed an eight-year prison sentence.

However, in November 2024, the Windhoek High Court overturned both the conviction and sentence after finding that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court found that the forensic evidence, including DNA results, did not link the doctor to the alleged offence and identified material shortcomings in the State's case.

The prosecution subsequently sought leave to appeal the acquittal to the Supreme Court, but the High Court dismissed that application in March 2025, bringing the previous criminal proceedings to an end.

Police investigations are continuing, and the suspect is expected to appear in court once charged.