Staff Reporter
A 40-YEAR-OLD woman who has opened a case of rape against prominent Rehoboth medical practitioner, Dr Michael James Tune, has been arrested for malicious damage to property after she had allegedly broken into Dr Tune’s residence.
She is expected to appear in the Rehoboth Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
It is alleged that the woman, whose identity cannot be revealed, had allegedly broken into Dr Tune’s Block B residence between 12 and 13 September 2026, after attending a gala dinner at the Lions Club.
It is alleged that Dr Tune had left the event early after he had noticed that the alleged rape victim had been indulging herself at the event’s open bar and feared that she would cause a scene if she were to become intoxicated. Dr Tune had allegedly insulted her, stating that she did not live up to the character of his late wife, and left.
It is alleged that Dr Tune had broken up with the alleged rape victim on Monday, 7 September, and had told her she was no longer invited to the gala dinner, despite him having bought her an evening gown.
It is claimed that after attending the gala dinner at the Lions Club in Rehoboth, and after having been angered by Dr Tune’s remarks that her behaviour was unbecoming, the woman had allegedly broken into Dr Tune’s residence on the evening of 12 September going into 13 September, and scaled down a boundary wall, and in the process, damaged a CCTV camera, scratched one of Dr Tune’s vehicles, and further damaged his daughter’s vehicle’s wheel. It is alleged that CCTV footage from Bank Windhoek, located next to Dr Tune’s residence, had allegedly captured the break-in.
“Upon investigation, it was established that the tyres of my daughter’s vehicle had been damaged. My Mercedes-Benz vehicle was also damaged, including damage to the tyres and severe scratches to the paintwork. The damage was initially estimated at approximately N$57,000.00. On Monday morning, 14 September 2026, the complainant sent me a voice note threatening me that I must answer her calls, which I had been ignoring,” Dr Tune had written in his bail affidavit.
It is alleged that the victim further threatened Dr Tune to withdraw the criminal case or face her wrath. These threats were allegedly recorded telephonically.
Dr Tune added that during the course of that Monday, 14 September 2026, he was informed that the complainant was at the GBV Unit laying a rape charge against him, whereafter she only registered the case on 20 September 2026. The victim said that the rape had allegedly occurred on 4 September.
The alleged rape victim had visited the office of Dr De Klerk on 7 or 8 September 2026 and only complained of vomiting and diarrhoea, after which she was booked off for the rest of the week with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis. According to the medical report, there was no mention of any rape or any kind of sexual assault, only of gastrointestinal issues.
After Dr Tune had provided his bail statement, the investigating officer in the matter had provided oral testimony last week Friday, 25 September, in which it was revealed in a J88 form that the alleged rape victim had bruises all over her upper body and that, after 10 days of the alleged sexual assault, she exhibited tears around her anus.
The State is expected to continue leading evidence against Dr Tune tomorrow as the bail application progresses.
To date, 247 community members in Rehoboth have signed a petition for Dr Tune’s release, claiming that the rape claims are false, while 600 have also petitioned online.
Picture for illustrative purposes only.
