Cheryl deserves justice - Geingos
First lady, Monica Geingos, says nine-year-old Cheryl Avihe Ujaha, whose murder and maiming has rocked the nation, deserves justice.
Geingos was speaking at Cheryl's funeral service on Saturday, which took place at El Shaddai Ministries in Katutura.
“She was bossy, strong-willed, ambitious, articulate, intelligent, talkative, God-fearing, loving and cheeky… Avihe was a leader, a child that loved Psalm 23. Psalm 23 was Avihe's prayer for us and Psalm 23 is our prayer for her,” Geingos said. “Avihe deserves justice.”
In her plea to the family, Geingos urged them to remember Cheryl's character and not reflect too much on the state in which she was discovered by a passer-by a fortnight ago in a riverbed, with missing body parts.
“Please remember your daughter the way she is being described. Do not remember the way she died. It was a lesson to you; it was a lesson to all of us. When you hear that name, remember a girl that was taken to heaven in one piece,” she said.
Geingos also urged mourners not to speculate about the possible reasons behind Cheryl's murder.
“There have been whispers that this is a ritual killing, but we are not here to speculate. Avihe's killers will get justice, whether they are caught or not. We will get the mercy, whether we deserve it or not,” she said.
Geingos noted that Cheryl's killing was a reflection of Namibian society.
“Her dismembered body is a reflection of our society. Our moral values are missing. Her killer was blinded by evil; he couldn't see the grace that surrounded Avihe.”
Cheryl's grandfather, Pastor Seth Kaimu, says he will always remember his granddaughter as “ambitious, hardworking and sweet”.
She was laid to rest at Windhoek's Gammams Cemetery, following Saturday's funeral service.
The discovery of her dismembered body led to a massive public outcry, including for the return of the death penalty, in a country grappling with increasing incidents of shocking violence against women and children.
Scores of mourners, including former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, attended the funeral.
Her grandfather delivered the sermon and reiterated his earlier message that he is ready to forgive those responsible for her death.
“If you happen to see this person, bring him so that I can meet him. I want to show him the love of God. Please beloved, let us forgive,” he said.
Kaimu also remembered his late granddaughter as being serious and God-fearing. According to him, Cheryl would always sit between him and his wife, whenever they went to church.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Cheryl's death should lead to a call to action.
“This violence not only deprives our nation of young productive lives; it is also an affront to us as a nation, as it violates our most cherished values of the right to life, liberty and dignity. This situation calls for action by all of us,” the prime minister said.
The police have me offered a reward of N$100 000 for any information leading to the capture of Cheryl's killer or killers.
OGONE TLHAGE
Geingos was speaking at Cheryl's funeral service on Saturday, which took place at El Shaddai Ministries in Katutura.
“She was bossy, strong-willed, ambitious, articulate, intelligent, talkative, God-fearing, loving and cheeky… Avihe was a leader, a child that loved Psalm 23. Psalm 23 was Avihe's prayer for us and Psalm 23 is our prayer for her,” Geingos said. “Avihe deserves justice.”
In her plea to the family, Geingos urged them to remember Cheryl's character and not reflect too much on the state in which she was discovered by a passer-by a fortnight ago in a riverbed, with missing body parts.
“Please remember your daughter the way she is being described. Do not remember the way she died. It was a lesson to you; it was a lesson to all of us. When you hear that name, remember a girl that was taken to heaven in one piece,” she said.
Geingos also urged mourners not to speculate about the possible reasons behind Cheryl's murder.
“There have been whispers that this is a ritual killing, but we are not here to speculate. Avihe's killers will get justice, whether they are caught or not. We will get the mercy, whether we deserve it or not,” she said.
Geingos noted that Cheryl's killing was a reflection of Namibian society.
“Her dismembered body is a reflection of our society. Our moral values are missing. Her killer was blinded by evil; he couldn't see the grace that surrounded Avihe.”
Cheryl's grandfather, Pastor Seth Kaimu, says he will always remember his granddaughter as “ambitious, hardworking and sweet”.
She was laid to rest at Windhoek's Gammams Cemetery, following Saturday's funeral service.
The discovery of her dismembered body led to a massive public outcry, including for the return of the death penalty, in a country grappling with increasing incidents of shocking violence against women and children.
Scores of mourners, including former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, attended the funeral.
Her grandfather delivered the sermon and reiterated his earlier message that he is ready to forgive those responsible for her death.
“If you happen to see this person, bring him so that I can meet him. I want to show him the love of God. Please beloved, let us forgive,” he said.
Kaimu also remembered his late granddaughter as being serious and God-fearing. According to him, Cheryl would always sit between him and his wife, whenever they went to church.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Cheryl's death should lead to a call to action.
“This violence not only deprives our nation of young productive lives; it is also an affront to us as a nation, as it violates our most cherished values of the right to life, liberty and dignity. This situation calls for action by all of us,” the prime minister said.
The police have me offered a reward of N$100 000 for any information leading to the capture of Cheryl's killer or killers.
OGONE TLHAGE
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