Residents of Kahenge in the Nkurenkuru constituency on Friday held a candlelight vigil in memory of Rosalia Andonyo (39), who was allegedly raped and murdered last week.
A suspect (22), a Grade 9 pupil at Kahenge Combined School, was arrested in connection with the incident. He appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he was denied bail, and the matter was postponed to 22 July.
The vigil began with a march from the Kahenge bus stop to the site where Andonyo’s body was discovered.
According to the police report issued on Sunday, the incident occurred on the night of Friday, 20 February. It is alleged that Andonyo died at the scene after being struck with an unknown object, before the suspect allegedly dragged her body into nearby shrubs and fled.
Addressing mourners, community member Bernadine Haukwambi said women in the area are living in fear.
“Women are not free among our own men who are meant to protect us,” she said, calling for accountability and urging residents to report illegal activities.
“We are not only grieving at Kahenge, but in Namibia. Every day a mother, a woman or a child is being murdered. Women are being raped daily. These individuals who practise such acts of sexual violence must be arrested,” Haukwambi said.
Andonyo’s younger brother, Joao Antonio (26) said the family realised she was missing after her children reported that she had not returned home. He recounted how they searched through the night.
“We found her body dragged into the bushes under a big tree. We cannot believe it. Deep down we cannot process or accept what has happened,” he said.
Her daughter, Leopodine Kandere (21), described her mother as a hardworking parent who supported four children despite being unemployed.
“She made sure we never lacked anything, even though at times we went a day without a meal,” she said.
Kandere added that her mother had gone to work in the field on the morning she was killed.
“Moments later, we received the bad news. We are shattered,” she said.
Police investigations into the matter continue.
– Nampa
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