Nurse's rape case stalls
Eighteen months after Shintango Mbambi's arrest, no results have been forthcoming from DNA samples sent to the underfunded National Forensic Science Institute.
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The rape case of 36-year-old Shintango Mbambi, a former Rundu State Hospital nurse who allegedly drugged and had sex with a 56-year-old patient in December 2018, has stalled due to outstanding DNA results.
It is alleged that Mbambi drugged the victim, who is said to be a chronic TB patient, before having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The victim informed hospital staff, resulting in an internal investigation, which led to the matter being taken to the police, who opened a case on behalf of the victim.
Outstanding results
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe last year confirmed that Mbambi had resigned from the ministry while in custody.
However, 18 months after his arrest, no results have been forthcoming from DNA samples sent to the underfunded National Forensic Science Institute (NFSI). Mbambi was granted N$5 000 bail in the Rundu Magistrate's Court by Magistrate Sonia Samupofu on 2 October 2019.
His bail conditions are that he does not interfere with police investigations and that he must report to the Rundu police station every Friday between 08:00 and 12:00.
He is represented by Legal Aid lawyer Ricardo Mukonda, while Variety Matamata is the State prosecutor. Mbambi's last court appearance was on 14 May, during which Magistrate Samupofu remanded the matter to 3 August.
Namibia's DNA woes
Mbambi's stalled case is one of hundreds piling up in Namibian courts.
Recently, a Namibian Sun investigation uncovered how the NFSI, which was established on 23 June 1993 with the aim to examine evidence and crime scenes as part of the Namibian judicial process, is underfunded, leading to massive delays. Their yearly operational budget stands at N$3.5 million, while they require about N$20.9 million.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The rape case of 36-year-old Shintango Mbambi, a former Rundu State Hospital nurse who allegedly drugged and had sex with a 56-year-old patient in December 2018, has stalled due to outstanding DNA results.
It is alleged that Mbambi drugged the victim, who is said to be a chronic TB patient, before having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The victim informed hospital staff, resulting in an internal investigation, which led to the matter being taken to the police, who opened a case on behalf of the victim.
Outstanding results
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe last year confirmed that Mbambi had resigned from the ministry while in custody.
However, 18 months after his arrest, no results have been forthcoming from DNA samples sent to the underfunded National Forensic Science Institute (NFSI). Mbambi was granted N$5 000 bail in the Rundu Magistrate's Court by Magistrate Sonia Samupofu on 2 October 2019.
His bail conditions are that he does not interfere with police investigations and that he must report to the Rundu police station every Friday between 08:00 and 12:00.
He is represented by Legal Aid lawyer Ricardo Mukonda, while Variety Matamata is the State prosecutor. Mbambi's last court appearance was on 14 May, during which Magistrate Samupofu remanded the matter to 3 August.
Namibia's DNA woes
Mbambi's stalled case is one of hundreds piling up in Namibian courts.
Recently, a Namibian Sun investigation uncovered how the NFSI, which was established on 23 June 1993 with the aim to examine evidence and crime scenes as part of the Namibian judicial process, is underfunded, leading to massive delays. Their yearly operational budget stands at N$3.5 million, while they require about N$20.9 million.
[email protected]
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