Child abuse and deaths in Namibia spark outrage, protest and calls for justice

A spate of child deaths and abuse cases across Namibia has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for justice, safety measures and government accountability.

Two weeks ago, a fire claimed the lives of two children in Windhoek’s One Nation informal settlement in the Tobias Hainyeko constituency after their mother left them in the custody of the older brother when she went to work.

In another incident, the body of Ingrid Maasdorp (5) was discovered in a river bed under a bridge, battered and bearing signs of sexual assault at Okahandja on 20 March.

These incidents have begged the urgent question: Are Namibia’s children safe?

‘NOT ENOUGH OUTCRY’

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament Utaara Mootu has raised the issue of Ingrid’s killing in the parliament, because there’s not enough outcry about it, she says, particularly from the national leadership.

Mootu last week demanded answers from the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia lipumbu, on what her ministry is doing about the increasing incidence of violence, rape and murder involving the country’s children.

Speaking to Desert FM last Wednesday, she said she wanted to connect Ingrid’s death to other young children who have recently disappeared, such as Spencer Nakale, who disappeared on 28 December 2020.

“The nation has just moved on as if nothing happened. And then the recent case of the eight-month-old Simone Roy, who was killed by her parents.

“These are issues I really felt were very disturbing and we should start talking about this,” Mootu said.

She said she wanted to know how the ministry, the custodian of the Namibian Police, will assist the police to ensure a timely investigation into the rape and murder of Ingrid.

Her family has expressed frustration over the lack of feedback from the police.

ALCOHOL ABUSE

Mootu blamed the violence against women and children on an increase in alcohol abuse.

She said the growing inability of citizens to advocate mental health could also lead to increasing violence against children.

“There’s not a seriousness in dealing with that, and then also again leading to the systematic failure in solving cases. I think this also ensures that people get away with it, which encourages more violence,” she said.

‘COLLECTIVE EFFORT’

Paulus Hawanga from the National Organisation of Parents in Education says all the role-players in a child’s life should come together, including local authorities, constituency leaders and families, to work on policies to provide children more security.

“It’s supposed to be a collective effort to provide these shelters,” he says.

Hawanga says his organisation advocates the delivery of quality education for all.

He says it is pushing for citizens not to depend on the government fully, but to make a living for themselves.

“Let us provide civic education for our people. We are passing laws, but people don’t know most of these laws. Who’s supposed to educate them?” he says.

Hawanga says skills shortages and unemployment result in parents not being able to provide for families.

“If you do not have the capacity to build an environment where every child can feel safe, get access to education, and where they are protected, the government should be inspired,” he says.

He refers to the Child Care and Protection Act as a “well-articulated policy”, which is clear on the structure local authorities and constituencies are supposed to have in place.

“There was supposed to be an established structure on the part of the government to provide civic education to guide citizens on how to care for our children when we need support,” Hawanga says.

SLOW INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, Saveria Ishidhimbwa, who lost her children in the One Nation shack fire, says the incident took everything from her – photos, trinkets, and her children’s drawings she kept since they were born.

All she has left is the work uniform she wore when she received the call telling her their shack was on fire, she says.

Okahandja activist Johannes Gaseb says the whole community is mourning the loss of little Ingrid amid several murder cases at the town coming to a standstill.

He says community activists are putting more pressure on the police to expedite the investigation.

Ingrid’s grandmother, Dolly Maasdorp (54), who raised her since birth, says Ingrid was dropped off at school on the morning of 20 March, but never returned home.

That morning, Ingrid’s grandfather had dropped her and her cousins at school, Dolly says.

Due to rain and car troubles, an older cousin escorted Ingrid to class.

But by afternoon, the little girl was missing.

Panic set in when the family arrived to find no teachers or security guards on the school premises, Dolly claims.

“We searched everywhere. When we couldn’t find her, we rushed to the police to report her missing,” she says.

PETITION, DEMONSTRATION

In response to the tragedy, a concerned Namibian based in Finland, Kashivi Kashingungu, has launched a petition titled ‘Justice for Ingrid Maasdorp’.

The petition has garnered just over 7 100 signatures.

Kashingungu says the petition was inspired by recent events in South Africa.

“A few weeks ago, South Africans rose to demand justice for Cwecwe. We Namibians also rallied online in solidarity.

“I thought it would be hypocritical not to do the same for our own Ingrid. This hit close to home for me, and I had to act,” she says.

Okahandja’s residents have taken matters into their own hands and will be participating in a demonstration and petition handover on 30 April under the hashtag ‘Justice for Ingrid Maasdorp’.

In a social media post, the residents say this “senseless act of violence has shaken everyone” and are demanding justice for Ingrid and protection for all children.

“The community of Okahandja and concerned citizens of Namibia are calling for a peaceful demonstration and the official handing over of a petition following the heartbreaking rape and murder of Ingrid Maasdorp . . ,” the post reads.

The community is demanding the immediate arrest of the culprit, a thorough and transparent investigation, accountability from those possibly protecting the perpetrator, and improved safety measures for pupils, especially those who walk to school alone during early morning hours.

Their demands also include that more schools be built at town to ensure children’s safety, and setting up mobile, 24-hour police stations.

“We want justice. We want safety. We want change,” the post reads.

“Bring your voice, your heart, and your support. Let’s stand together to protect our children and ensure no other child suffers like Ingrid did.”