Assailant teacher faces new theft charges TUYEIMO HAIDULAOSHAKATI
Ohangwena teacher Fransina Mwetufa, who is accused of stabbing a colleague last week, appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for forgery after she allegedly acquired a Polo Vivo by providing false bank statements as proof of payment.
Mwetufa, who appeared before magistrate Helena Ekandjo, is accused of theft under false pretenses, fraud, forgery and uttering.
Oshana police spokesperson Thomas Aiyambo said Mwetufa allegedly falsely pretended to sell her car to the complainant, car dealer Maree Hendrick Johannes, after a few days, she went to him with the intention to buy it back. The police report indicates that the transaction took place on 22 March.
Johannes told Namibian Sun yesterday that he had agreed with Mwetufa that she could buy the car back as long as this is done within 30 days of purchase.
He said Mwetufa sold the car to him for N$30 000, and he offered it back to her for N$37 500.
Johannes said Mwetufa informed him that she initially sold the car to pay for her university tuition fees.
He said she agreed to do a bank transfer from her Bank Windhoek account to Standard Bank.
Suspicious transaction
“She forwarded the same day proof of payment via WhatsApp. After three days, the money didn't go through on account and I went to the bank to confirm the transaction. I was then informed that the transaction and the notification she gave me are very suspicious,” Johannes said.
He said he then approached her again and she informed him that she would pay and that he should be patient.
After the money had not reflected a few days later, he decided to open a case with the police.
Mwetufa was denied bail at Oshakati. Her case has been postponed to 19 May to allow for further police investigations.
Crocodile tears
Sources at the court told Namibian Sun that during her appearance she cried and pleaded to be taken for psychiatric evaluation before she is allowed to stand for trial. This plea was not entertained.
On Monday, Mwetufa appeared in the Eenhana Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder and reckless or negligent driving after she was arrested on 25 March.
She is accused of allegedly choking a colleague before stabbing her multiple times with a knife in the neck and face.
Ohangwena police spokesperson sergeant Andrew Nghiyolwa said the attack happened at Ondaanda village on Friday afternoon.
The victim, Ndapewa Indongo (24) narrated the incident to Namibian Sun and said Mwetufa had invited her out for lunch to discuss her financial problems.
On their way to lunch, the two took a detour before Mwetufa attacked Indongo.
Indongo said Mwetufa accused her of spreading gossip about her at school.
Indongo is currently recovering at a private hospital in Ondangwa and survived with cuts to her lower lip, right eye, forehead and right thumb. She had a successful operation on Wednesday to help her thumb function properly again.
– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com