Educator Ariestides Kamatuka, who is accused of sexually violating one of his pupils, was left without legal representation, as he cannot afford his lawyer any longer.

Kamatuka (54) informed Katutura magistrate Justine Asino yesterday that his lawyer Jan Wessels withdrew because he could no longer keep up with payments. 

“I was struggling with funds. Last week, I was at Legal Aid to submit my application, but I was told to attach a copy of my charge sheet,” said Kamatuka.

He further requested the court to relax his bail conditions because it would be difficult for him to report every Monday due to job opportunities he has since received. 

“Perhaps I can report once a month. I have job offers. I have one in Ondangwa and one in Walvis Bay, but it would be difficult to come back to Windhoek every Monday to report,” explained Kamatuka.

However, the court said, without proof of the job offers, such a request cannot be considered.

The court postponed the case to 7 November for legal representation.

The teacher will be tried on two counts of rape, of which one complainant is a minor. 

The second complainant was 19 at the time. Kamatuka, who has since resigned from his position as a teacher, is alleged to have sexually violated the complainants on 3 February 2021 at the Jan Möhr Secondary School premises. 

At the time of his arrest last year, allegations against Kamatuka caused public outrage and demonstrations in solidarity with the victims.

Kamatuka has since denied the allegations, stating it as a plot against him.

He is currently out on N$10 000 bail with reporting conditions.