Woman Who Accused Dr Tune of Rape Arrested Over Alleged Property Damage
A 40-year-old woman at the centre of a rape case involving Rehoboth medical practitioner Dr Michael James Tune has been arrested in connection with allegations that she damaged property at the doctor’s residence.
The woman, whose identity cannot be disclosed, is expected to appear before the Rehoboth Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on the separate property-related matter.
The alleged incident reportedly happened during the early hours of 13 September, following a Lions Club gala dinner in Rehoboth the previous evening.
According to evidence contained in Dr Tune’s bail affidavit, the woman allegedly entered his Block B residence after climbing over the boundary wall. A CCTV camera at the property was reportedly damaged, while one of Dr Tune’s vehicles allegedly suffered scratches and tyre damage.
A vehicle belonging to his daughter was also allegedly damaged, with one of its wheels affected.
Dr Tune told the court that the initial cost of the damage was estimated at about N$57,000. He further stated that CCTV footage from the nearby Bank Windhoek premises could have captured the alleged entry onto his property.
The incident allegedly followed the breakdown of the relationship between Dr Tune and the woman.
Dr Tune claims that he ended the relationship on 7 September and told her that she would no longer accompany him to the Lions Club event. This was despite the doctor having previously purchased an evening gown for her, according to his affidavit.
The two nevertheless reportedly attended the gala dinner on 12 September.
Dr Tune alleges that he became concerned about the woman’s behaviour after she consumed alcohol from the event’s open bar and decided to leave the function. An argument reportedly followed, during which he allegedly told her that her conduct did not reflect the character of his late wife.
The property allegations were followed by further developments that became relevant to Dr Tune’s ongoing bail application in the separate rape case.
In his affidavit, Dr Tune said he received a voice note from the woman on 14 September demanding that he respond to her calls, which he had allegedly been ignoring. He further claims that she threatened him over the criminal complaint relating to the property damage.
Dr Tune said he was subsequently informed that the woman had gone to the Gender-Based Violence Unit to report an alleged rape.
The alleged sexual assault is said to have occurred on 4 September, while the rape case was reportedly registered on 20 September.
The woman’s earlier medical consultation has also featured in the bail proceedings. She reportedly visited Dr De Klerk on 7 or 8 September complaining of vomiting and diarrhoea. Medical records presented in the proceedings reportedly diagnosed her with gastroenteritis and did not record a complaint of rape or sexual assault at that consultation.
However, during proceedings on Friday, 25 September, the investigating officer reportedly gave evidence about the woman’s J88 medical examination.
The court heard that the examination recorded bruising on her upper body as well as tears around the anal area. The examination was conducted about 10 days after the alleged assault.
The medical findings and other evidence remain part of the State’s case, while Dr Tune’s defence has disputed the allegations against him.
The State is expected to continue presenting evidence in the bail application when the matter resumes tomorrow.
Meanwhile, support for Dr Tune appears to have grown in Rehoboth. A petition calling for his release has reportedly gathered signatures from 247 community members, while an online petition has attracted around 600 signatures.
Both the rape allegations against Dr Tune and the property-damage allegations against the woman remain before the courts and have not yet been determined.
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