Police seek public help on Avihe

POLICE Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga yesterday expressed concern on the unwillingness of the public to get involved in identifying suspects to help police solve crimes.

Ndeitunga said this at a press conference in Windhoek, where he announced that the monetary reward for anyone providing information that could lead to the arrest of Avihe Cheryl Ujaha’s murderer(s) had been increased to N$100 000 from N$30 000. The reward is made up of the existing N$30 000, and N$70 000 from a N$100 000 pledge by the Ohlthaver and List Group.

The balance of what is left from the O&L pledge (N$30 000) will be added to a N$10 000 donation from the National Special Risk Insurance Association, to be the nucleus of a newly-established Namibian Police Force Children’s Protection Fund. The fund will cover expenses of future investigations involving children.

Ndeitunga said he was sure someone out there may have seen or heard what happened to Avihe, but is reluctant to come forward and assist the police to solve this crime.

“I appeal to anyone who may have any information which may lead to the identification, apprehension and prosecution of the suspect(s) to contact the police, and assure them that the identities of all informants will be kept secret,” he added.

Ndeitunga, who said the police had not reached a deadlock yet on finding Avihe’s killer, also spoke out against gender-based violence, and laws concerning minors, such as having to wait for 24 hours before a person can be declared as missing.

“Use your logic. If a four-year-old or seven-year-old goes missing, you cannot want to wait. You must go and find them. It’s not like they are as old as Ndeitunga, and can take care of themselves,” the police chief stated. The United Democratic Front of Namibia’s president Apius Auchab yesterday also expressed condolences to the family on behalf of the party, saying Namibia continues to call itself the Land of the Brave, while people continue preying on women and children.

“Namibian society needs healing of the mind and soul to realise that our actions have killed many leaders and many future professors through the killing of women and the girl child,” said Auchab in a statement, in which he imploted the government to tighten existing laws.

Members of the public will also have a silent march in remembrance of the victims of GBV and violence against children this morning from 09h00. The march will start from Herero location’s commando hall to the Multi-Purpose Youth Centre, where a petition will be handed over to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

Police have been investigating Avihe’s brutal murder for close to two weeks now since her mutilated body was found in Staan Vas location in Khomasdal, about two kilometres from her home in Herero location. She will be laid to rest at the Pionierspark cemetery in Windhoek tomorrow morning.

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