Maria David
HILJA Shikongeni, a 33-year-old woman accused of distributing nude photos of a 31-year-old radio presenter, was granted bail after making her first court appearance in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The accused faces charges of the transmission of obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent communication.
Shikongeni appeared before Magistrate Mozay Jansen, who granted bail of N$2,000.
Jansen also postponed the case to 23 April 2025 for further investigations.
The accused, who is five months pregnant, opted to acquire a private lawyer.
As part of her bail conditions, Shikongeni must refrain from making any direct or indirect contact with the victim, refrain from committing similar offenses while on bail, keep a distance of 300 metres from the complainant, and avoid interfering with state witnesses or police investigations.
Oshana Regional Commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, said the presenter opened a case on 16 October after discovering her naked pictures and videos on social media, posted without her consent.
“It is a trend we have seen increasing in the region,” remarked Sakaria.
He said that a case was opened for contravening section 117, subsection 1(c) of the Communication Act No. 8 of 2009.
The State was represented by Prosecutor Pinias Jurgen Gaiseb.
