Youth calls for justice amid violence

Walvis Bay rural constituency youth forum chairperson Patricia Munyala has called for justice to be served in the recent multiple gender-based violence incidents that took place in Usakos and Okahandja over the past weeks.

Speaking at a prayer session for the victims at Walvis Bay on Thursday, Munyala extended prayers and comfort to the bereaved families, friends and the nation.

“We strongly condemn the cruel killing of any person. We condemn the continued terrorising of fellow community members across the country,” she said.

“Why should we have communities living in fear, parents and guardians worried as to whether their children will return home from school or not. We can not have a society that is so ruthless, with no compassion for one another and disregarding the value of human life,” Munyala said.

She called on the development of localised infrastructure and multidisciplinary community partnerships that can build awareness and trust, provide educational opportunities for community stakeholders, and improve reporting by those who might see warning signs.

She remembered the presence of law enforcement agencies in towns during weekends in the past, noting that they created a sense of safety.

“Those were good gestures from the law enforcement offices, and the crime rates were relatively low compared to the recent statistics. Community-based terrorism prevention programmes, like neighbourhood watch should be developed in close consultation and cooperation with the intended communities to avoid harmful impacts and ensure programme commitment, efficacy and relevance,” she said.

The regional prayer session was organised by the office of the Erongo governor in collaboration with various churches.

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