“He Is Innocent” – Rehoboth Community Backs Dr Tune
Support for Rehoboth medical practitioner Dr Michael Tune has grown as his bail proceedings continue, with members of the community rallying behind the 64-year-old doctor following his arrest on a rape allegation.
According to Informanté, about 140 community members, many of them reportedly Dr Tune’s patients, have signed a petition calling for his release. His lawyer, Winne Christiaan, has also questioned the strength of the State’s case and argued that Dr Tune has deep ties to Rehoboth and is unlikely to abscond.
The latest developments have also brought forward claims from a source close to the matter, who alleges that there are WhatsApp voice notes in which the woman who reported the rape allegedly threatened to open a rape case against Dr Tune if he continued with a separate criminal complaint involving alleged damage to property.
These claims have not been tested in court and should be treated as allegations until established through the legal process.
The bail proceedings are expected to continue at the Rehoboth Magistrate’s Court, subject to the availability of a magistrate. The proceedings were affected after a magistrate previously assigned to the matter recused themselves because they had earlier dealt with a protection order involving the complainant.
According to the source, Dr Tune had previously obtained a protection order after the woman allegedly entered his property on several occasions and allegedly damaged vehicles and a camera. The source further alleges that she gained access to the property by climbing over a residential wall.
The source also claims that Dr Tune and the complainant had been in a relationship and were living in Block D, Rehoboth. It is alleged that the two travelled to Windhoek on 5 September, where Dr Tune reportedly bought the woman an evening gown ahead of a Lions Club gala scheduled for 12 September.
The alleged rape is reported to have occurred on 4 September.
The source claims that the relationship ended on 6 September following disagreements over the woman’s alleged conduct. It is further alleged that after leaving the residence, she took furniture belonging to Dr Tune, reportedly valued at about N$260,000, resulting in a separate theft complaint.
Further allegations suggest that the woman later returned to another property in Block B on several occasions. The source claims that during one of these incidents, a vehicle belonging to Dr Tune’s daughter was damaged and subsequently left the road outside Rehoboth.
Another point raised by the source concerns an alleged medical consultation on 8 September. According to the source, the woman visited a doctor that day but allegedly complained of stomach-related problems and did not report an alleged sexual assault during that consultation.
The source further alleges that the woman later attended the Lions Club gala on 12 September despite allegedly not being invited and that an incident occurred after Dr Tune left the function.
Meanwhile, the State has opposed bail, arguing that investigations remain at an early stage. Prosecutor Hilma Mwata cited the seriousness of the charge, the possibility of interference with witnesses and investigations, the potential sentence and considerations relating to the administration of justice.
Dr Tune’s defence has disputed the State’s position and questioned the strength of the case. His lawyer also argued that the doctor has substantial ties to Rehoboth, including property and family connections, making him unlikely to abscond.
Dr Tune, who has practised medicine in Rehoboth for many years, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Namibia Medical Society in September 2025 for his contribution to medical care and professionalism.
The allegations against Dr Tune remain before the courts, and he has not been convicted of any offence. The bail proceedings will determine whether he is released while the investigation continues.
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