City cop warned not to interfere with rape case

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Nearly a month after his arrest for allegedly raping a colleague, Windhoek City Police spokesperson Fabian Amukwelele has been granted bail of N$7 000 by the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura.

Senior magistrate Shaatuna Kalla granted him bail on Friday, but attached strict conditions, including that he may not contact the complainant directly or indirectly until the matter is finalised.

He is prohibited from coming within 100 meters of her residence and place of employment, and may not interfere with police investigations and State witnesses. He has also been prohibited from commenting on the matter on social media.



Pregnancy terminated

Amukwelele (37) was arrested on 9 April after he was accused of raping a 29-year-old colleague in January.

The woman fell pregnant, but has since terminated the pregnancy.

Kalla said in her ruling that from the evidence, Amukwelele and the complainant had sexual intercourse.

“That issue is not in dispute. The bone of contention is the circumstances under which the sexual intercourse took place; whether or not it was with the consent of the complainant.”

Kalla said that was a matter for the trial court. “This court is presently solely tasked to determine whether the applicant, on a balance of probabilities, is a candidate for bail.”