Mulumba’s bail application hearing continues at Oshakati

OSHAKATI, 18 APR  – Dr Benhard Mulumba, who is accused of raping a 20-year-old woman near Ongwediva on 02 April, will on Wednesday find out if his bail application has been successful.
His formal bail application hearing started on Tuesday before Oshakati Magistrate Makapa Simasiku.
Mulumba allegedly offered the victim a ride and drove to Onawa village on the outskirts of Ongwediva, where he reportedly raped her in his car.
He pleaded not guilty during cross examination by both Prosecutor Mpule Siyamunji and his defence lawyer Silas Kishi Shakumu during Tuesday’s hearing.
“I was driving to go see one of my friends that side of Alfa Bar in Ongwediva when a young woman stopped me for a lift. I stopped, she got into my car and we introduced ourselves,” he told court.
According to Mulumba, the woman agreed to go to Alfa Bar with him and that he would then drop her off at Ongwediva’s Okakunene residential area, where she stays, afterwards.
He said when they arrived at the bar, he got out of the car and told her he would be back soon.
“I left her in the car, “Mulumba testified, adding that when he came back, he saw her getting into a red taxi.
He went on to say that he drove behind the taxi to return her glasses which she had left in his car and managed to give it to a child outside the house of the complainant.
Shakumu told the court his client is fit to be released on bail. The State objected, arguing that rape is a serious offence and there is a high risk of Mulumba, who is a Congolese national, absconding.
Mulumba faces charges of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault by threat.
He might also face a charge of kidnapping as the complainant told the police that she could not get out of the car as the doctor had locked the doors.

NAMPA