Endjala urges parents to report rape

OMUSATI governor Erginus Endjala said parents of under age girls who fall pregnant should open a police case against the perpetrators.

Endjala, who made the remarks last week during his state of the region address, said it defies human logic how pupils aged 10 fall pregnant, and cases are not reported to the police.

His speech was read on his behalf by Omusati Regional Council chairperson Modestus Amutse.

“This shows something is wrong with members of our society, especially parents. By law, any child under the age of 16 can’t give consent to engage in sexual relationships with an elderly person. By implication, that is statutory rape, and it must be reported to the relevant authorities,” Endjala stressed.

He shares similar sentiments as First Lady Monica Geingos, who earlier this month said a system should be put in place so that all under age children who fall pregnant automatically open a statutory rape case.

Geingos’s argument was based on the fact that any gunshot wound, regardless of how it was acquired, must be reported for the injured person to receive treatment. She argued that pregnancies for under age girls should be treated the same.

Endjala added that the region would hold a consultative conference to address the issue, while the region would also consider conducting prayer sessions to assist in fighting the moral decay they have been dealing with regionally.

“It is disheartening to learn that the rate of teenage pregnancies is on the increase, as per statistics received from the education ministry. In 2017, we have lost 445 learners due to teenage pregnancies, with the Okalongo Circuit recorded as the highest with 78 learners,” he said.

The governor added that what is more saddening is that some impregnated learners are under age, as the figures include those in Grades 4,5 and 6.

Namibia is currently battling with teenage pregnancies, despite the implementation of the education sector policy for the prevention and management of learner pregnancy. So far this year, the Oshana and Ohangwena regions have already recorded 232 pregnancies.

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