Omusati: Incestuous relatives prey on babies

Being in the care of relatives is often viewed as a safe haven for children, but in the Omusati Region – where on average two children are raped every month – parents are afraid to leave their children with their nearest and dearest.

This figure is according to official police statistics provided by police in Omusati, and shows that since the beginning of the year, 11 cases of child rape have been recorded, with the youngest victim aged two.

In some of the cases, close relatives have been identified as suspects.

The two-year-old girl, who was left sleeping at her homestead in Okakekete village in the Anamulenge constituency, was raped on a sunny afternoon in January, allegedly by a 29-year-old suspect while members of the household were working in the mahangu field.

Villagers reeled in shock when the news broke, but the most shocking detail was the revelation that the alleged rapist lived in the same homestead and is related to the minor.

The victim’s grandmother reported the matter to the police.

Little Taimi*’s ordeal was the first rape in the region this year, a trend which continues to place children in immense danger, even when left with those meant to care for them.

Pain between her legs

The latest incident took place last Tuesday when a four-year-old was allegedly raped by a 17-year-old Angolan national, who is employed at the victim’s homestead as a domestic worker.

He allegedly went with the victim to a neighbouring homestead, and upon their return, the victim complained of pain between her legs. The victim’s mother opened a case of rape four days later.

Omusati crime investigation coordinator, deputy commissioner Moses Simaho, said the names of the suspects have all been withheld to protect the victims as the majority of the suspects are close family members, or live in the same house as the victims.

All 11 suspects have been denied bail and are currently behind bars.

In February three children – aged eight, 11 and 12 - were raped. March saw a six-year-old violated, and in April, a 12- and 13-year-old.

“In May, we recorded a four-year-old, nine-year-old and 10-year-old who also fell victim to these barbaric acts,” Simaho said, adding that – as of yesterday - one child, aged four, has been raped in June.

“This kind of crime is occurring when the minors are neglected or left unattended. They are just left alone in the house or with neighbours, hence such crimes take place,” he stressed.

Child neglect rife

In addition to rape statics, police are worried about cases of child neglect, where parents leave their children unattended.

These incidents, Simaho said, range from children drowning in buckets of water, Oshikundu or water wells to babies burning to death while parents go out gallivanting.

He said such incidents need to come to an end, adding that the lives of Namibian children need to be protected.

Just last week, the police and the gender ministry completed a one-week training on how law enforcers can assist the ministry in protecting the Namibian child better, even from those supposed to take care of them. This, he said, includes but is not limited to their own parents.

“We [are embarking] on an awareness [campaign]. From there, we will hold parents or guardians responsible according the Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015,” Simaho said.

Agony for kids

Justice minister Yvonne Dausab echoed the police’s sentiments and expressed concern that Namibians are “dangerously failing” to care for and protect children.

She told fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly that these incidents paint a bleak picture of a nation with less than three million people.

Justice ministry chief public relations officer, Simon Idipo, said: “Child neglect is something we should all be concerned about. If they [children] are found injured or losing their lives from what could have been avoided, institutions should take action to try and avoid further harm to the young ones”.

He said as the ministry, they welcome the news that the police will educate parents and later hold them accountable should they fail at their responsibilities.

“No one wants children to be dying in avoidable instances. Parents should take extra caution. You know children will always play around, so why leave them with a bucket of water or objects and substances which could harm them?

“We need to make sure our children are extra safe,” he stressed.

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*Not her real name