Staff Reporter
DR. Michael Tune, a 64-year-old renowned medical professional practising in the southern settlement of Rehoboth, appeared in the Rehoboth Magistrate’s Court after having been arrested for rape and was kept in custody after the State objected to the granting of bail.
It is alleged that Tune, on Friday, 4 September 2026, at about 21:30 in Block D, Rehoboth, raped a 40-year-old woman after she had turned down his request for sexual intercourse.
It is further reported that after the complainant refused, Dr. Tune allegedly played loud music on a boom box before forcing the woman onto the bed and sexually assaulting her.
During the appearance, public prosecutor Hilma Mwata said that investigations are at a tender stage and are not finalised.
“The State is applying that the matter be remanded to 26 November 2026 for further investigations. The State is opposing bail at this stage due to the seriousness of the offence as contemplated in Part 4 of Schedule of the Criminal Procedure Act,” Mwata said.
She added that the State also objects to bail due to the strength of the State’s prima facie case, the length of a prison sentence that may be imposed, fear of interference with witnesses and investigations, and that it would not be in the public interest and administration of justice.
Winne Christiaan, the lawyer representing the accused, Dr. Tune, however, vehemently opposed this, questioning the strength of the State’s case and claiming that the alleged rape victim forwarded naked pictures of herself after the alleged offence.
Further to this, Christiaan said that Dr. Tune will not abscond if released on bail, as he is a medical doctor with several properties in Rehoboth, with his whole life founded in Rehoboth and his children living there as well.
He added that about 140 community members, most of whom are Dr. Tune’s patients, have signed a petition for the release of Dr. Tune, putting into question the objection of public interest and the administration of justice. He also said that his client cannot be remanded in custody due to ill health and the poor conditions of police cells.
Dr. Tune is no stranger to the limelight, having received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Namibia Medical Society (NMS) in September 2025, after being hailed for his years of clinical dedication and compassionate primary care in rural settings. As one of the founding principals of the Namibia Medical Society, Dr. Tune, the NMS stated that he contributed significantly to advancing medical professionalism and advocacy in the country.
The matter was stood down to 15:00 for a formal bail application for Dr. Tune.
Photo: Contributed
