Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

NQA boss accused of attempted murder out on bail

Home Front Page News NQA boss accused of attempted murder out on bail

WINDHOEK – The chief executive officer of the Namibia Qualifications Authority Frans Gertze was released on N$5 000 bail on Monday following his high-profile arrest for allegedly shooting his wife six times at their Pionierspark home last month. 

The 55-year-old was granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on condition that he does not interfere with state witnesses, particularly his wife and victim Anita Gertze, 29.  Furthermore, the court ordered Gertze to hand over all firearms that are in his possession to the police, while he is barred from obtaining any weapons pending the finalisation of the case. 

The court released Gertze on bail after his wife Anita made a sworn statement with the police, stating she was in favour of her husband being released and hopes he gets medical attention for his depression. Anita said her husband was not trying to kill her on the date in question as it has been widely reported. 

She explained she was trying to prevent her husband from committing suicide on the fateful day but got shot while they were fighting for the gun. Anita’s statement has since been made part of the record. 
However, at the time of the incident, Gertze informed the police he heard intruders walking into his house, forcing him to fire shots randomly in the bedroom that he shares with his wife. 

Upon police inspection on the property, it was established there was no sign that the house was broken into. After the shooting incident, Gertze drove his wife and their two children to the Roman Catholic Hospital, where Anita was admitted into an intensive care unit. 

She is currently in a stable condition. The police also confirmed a suicide note, believed to have been drafted by Gertze, was discovered at the scene. Two firearms that were found at the scene have been seized. 
The prosecution is now charging Gertze a main charge of attempted murder and two alternative counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and negligent discharging of a firearm for the shooting. The matter has been postponed to 19 February 2020 for further police investigations.

Local defence attorney Trevor Brockerhoff was representing Gertze, while Bernadine Bertolini was prosecuting for the state. Magistrate Linus Samunzala was presiding over the matter.