Namibia’s child neglect shame
Nearly 70 cases of child neglect reported in little over a year
The police say child abuse that does not result in visible injuries, such as child neglect, are more difficult to detect and address.
The Namibian police have warned that cases of non-physical abuse of children, including a rising number of cases where minors are left alone in situations that expose them to life-threatening risks such as drowning or even rape, are difficult to detect.
From children drowning in buckets of water, accidentally burning down houses, or facing high-risk situations while left alone without adult supervision, child neglect in Namibia remains serious and rampant.
Between January 2023 and March of this year, around 69 cases of child neglect were reported to the police. Reported incidents of children dying or finding themselves in dangerous circumstances due to neglect persist.
Namibian Sun recently reported that two five-year-old children in Oshikoto accidentally set fire to their families’ mahangu harvest while home alone without adult supervision.
While some cases are reported to the police, especially when a death occurs, many go unreported due to household cover-ups or family members’ reluctance to speak out, often out of fear.
Collective action
Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, explained that the police do charge culprits but emphasised that for these issues to be addressed, a collective approach is needed.
“The realities on the ground are very emotional, especially when it comes to children being neglected and abused,” Shikwambi told Namibian Sun.
“At times, it is hard to detect when a child is neglected or is at risk of abuse unless it is physical, where wounds and injuries are evident,” she explained.
“A number of children are deprived of basic needs such as love, feeding, adequate supervision, health care, clothing, education and safety.
"No child deserves any sort of abuse or neglect by or from anyone," she stressed.
She confirmed that many cases that go unreported, "hence our decision to engage and educate communities about the subject matter and how to report it. Child abuse and neglect must be reported; in fact, it must be stopped," she urged.
“The role of the police in some of these issues can only be amplified when the community is involved, the community is reporting, cases are opened and the suspect is charged accordingly. It calls for collective action in order to safeguard our children from all forms of harm and danger.”
Empower communities
Local gender and child protection specialist Veronica Theron said more needs to be done to empower front-line workers, the court systems and educate the community about available resources.
“The Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2012 defines neglect in relation to a child as the failure by a person who is taking care of a child to provide for the child’s basic physical, intellectual, emotional or social needs,” she explained.
“In my opinion, front-line service providers such as social workers, police officers, medical doctors do not treat neglect with the seriousness it deserves," she added.
“Not all are trained or experienced in the provisions of the legislative framework pertaining to child protection, especially those coming straight from university or police basic training," she noted.
She advised that court cases involving minor children need dedicated staff and added that the "role of the children's advocate is not known to the public, and referral pathways are not always clear as services are fragmented.”
Dire consequences
In January, Namibian Sun reported on the drowning of two five-year-old children in Okagongo kAakwambashu village, in the Omusati Region’s Ogongo constituency.
It was alleged that three young children were left to tend goats by two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, who went to work in the mahangu field, leaving the children on their own.
Four months ago, a one-year-old baby boy reportedly drowned in a bucket of water at Onziku village in the Omusati Region’s Oshikuku constituency.
Last year, Namibian Sun reported the arrest of Magano Kambonde (43) from Uuhongo village, who appeared at the Outapi Magistrate’s Court after her 11-month-old baby died in a 25-litre container of soaked mahangu due to alleged neglect.
According to the police report, Kambonde left her three minor children at home alone on 10 November 2021, leading to the death of her youngest child. The other two children were aged seven and nine.
In 2018, a crime-fighting operation led by female police officers resulted in the removal of 56 children under the age of 18 from shebeens, bars and liquor stores within just five days.
Additionally, police found nine mothers with their babies at these locations.
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From children drowning in buckets of water, accidentally burning down houses, or facing high-risk situations while left alone without adult supervision, child neglect in Namibia remains serious and rampant.
Between January 2023 and March of this year, around 69 cases of child neglect were reported to the police. Reported incidents of children dying or finding themselves in dangerous circumstances due to neglect persist.
Namibian Sun recently reported that two five-year-old children in Oshikoto accidentally set fire to their families’ mahangu harvest while home alone without adult supervision.
While some cases are reported to the police, especially when a death occurs, many go unreported due to household cover-ups or family members’ reluctance to speak out, often out of fear.
Collective action
Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, explained that the police do charge culprits but emphasised that for these issues to be addressed, a collective approach is needed.
“The realities on the ground are very emotional, especially when it comes to children being neglected and abused,” Shikwambi told Namibian Sun.
“At times, it is hard to detect when a child is neglected or is at risk of abuse unless it is physical, where wounds and injuries are evident,” she explained.
“A number of children are deprived of basic needs such as love, feeding, adequate supervision, health care, clothing, education and safety.
"No child deserves any sort of abuse or neglect by or from anyone," she stressed.
She confirmed that many cases that go unreported, "hence our decision to engage and educate communities about the subject matter and how to report it. Child abuse and neglect must be reported; in fact, it must be stopped," she urged.
“The role of the police in some of these issues can only be amplified when the community is involved, the community is reporting, cases are opened and the suspect is charged accordingly. It calls for collective action in order to safeguard our children from all forms of harm and danger.”
Empower communities
Local gender and child protection specialist Veronica Theron said more needs to be done to empower front-line workers, the court systems and educate the community about available resources.
“The Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2012 defines neglect in relation to a child as the failure by a person who is taking care of a child to provide for the child’s basic physical, intellectual, emotional or social needs,” she explained.
“In my opinion, front-line service providers such as social workers, police officers, medical doctors do not treat neglect with the seriousness it deserves," she added.
“Not all are trained or experienced in the provisions of the legislative framework pertaining to child protection, especially those coming straight from university or police basic training," she noted.
She advised that court cases involving minor children need dedicated staff and added that the "role of the children's advocate is not known to the public, and referral pathways are not always clear as services are fragmented.”
Dire consequences
In January, Namibian Sun reported on the drowning of two five-year-old children in Okagongo kAakwambashu village, in the Omusati Region’s Ogongo constituency.
It was alleged that three young children were left to tend goats by two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, who went to work in the mahangu field, leaving the children on their own.
Four months ago, a one-year-old baby boy reportedly drowned in a bucket of water at Onziku village in the Omusati Region’s Oshikuku constituency.
Last year, Namibian Sun reported the arrest of Magano Kambonde (43) from Uuhongo village, who appeared at the Outapi Magistrate’s Court after her 11-month-old baby died in a 25-litre container of soaked mahangu due to alleged neglect.
According to the police report, Kambonde left her three minor children at home alone on 10 November 2021, leading to the death of her youngest child. The other two children were aged seven and nine.
In 2018, a crime-fighting operation led by female police officers resulted in the removal of 56 children under the age of 18 from shebeens, bars and liquor stores within just five days.
Additionally, police found nine mothers with their babies at these locations.
[email protected]
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