Renthia Kaimbi
A legal advisor at the City of Windhoek, Ngatatue Kandovazu, is facing charges of assault for allegedly striking a teacher at Ella du Plessis Secondary School with a stick after supposedly accusing her of striking his younger son.
The incident, which took place on the school premises during afternoon school lessons on Monday, has sparked outrage among fellow teachers, with many questioning the level of respect shown toward educators and the growing culture of parental interference in schools.
Kandovazu denied any wrongdoing, stating that he stood up for his son, whose life he believed was in danger.
The teacher, Lovisa Shitope, told the Windhoek Observer that she was supervising the afternoon session when Kandovazu forcefully entered the school premises.
She stated that he initially sent his young son, who attends a different school, to fetch his older sister from a classroom.
“I instructed the boy to wait inside until study knocks off as I assume they would go back home together after study. However, he remained outside,” she stated.
During the conclusion of the lessons, the younger child allegedly attempted to run away when approached, falling down in the process. Shitope said she reminded him that this was the reason she had asked him to remain inside her classroom.
Minutes later, Kandovazu arrived with both children.
Assuming he was responding to a prior request for parental involvement regarding his daughter’s behavioural concerns, Shitope said that she was taken aback when he immediately accused her of beating his son.
“Believing he was joking, I laughed and replied that discipline would be enforced if learners were found loitering,” she added.
Kandovazu then allegedly became aggressive, shouting that she was not allowed to beat his child, before seizing the stick she was holding and striking her twice on the legs.
Shitope said she attempted to de-escalate the situation by suggesting they move to the principal’s office, but Kandovazu refused, insisting he would leave with his children and that no one had authority over them since he is a lawyer.
“Despite his daughter’s pleas for him to go to the principal’s office, he refused and left with both children,” the teacher added.
Shitope subsequently received treatment for muscle inflammation at Katutura Intermediate Hospital, and witnesses told the Windhoek Observer that Kandovazu allegedly assaulted Shitope in full view of learners, with the stick reportedly breaking during the assault.
The incident has left learners and staff at the school shaken, with some expressing fear that such behaviour from a parent could set a dangerous precedent.
“This incident was witnessed by learners and staff, causing significant disruption and concern. Such behavior undermines the authority of teachers, sets a dangerous precedent for discipline in schools, and poses a direct threat to staff safety,” Shitope told the Windhoek Observer.
“My biggest fear is that these children will now either undermine this teacher’s authority or keep threatening her with bringing their parents to school to assault her the same way this parent did,” said a fellow teacher at the school.
Kandovazu denied the allegations when contacted, stating, “There is no such thing. I did not assault any teacher. A teacher rather assaulted my son and then I just went to inquire as to why she would do that. I did not take any stick to assault her. I took the stick from her because I feared for my child’s life.”
Regarding the bruises, he said, “I did not do anything of that nature. I’m not even aware whether she has wounds or not, or receiving any treatment. I’m just hearing that from you now, so I cannot confirm as to how she got those wounds. I did not assault anyone. Publish what you must.”
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of violence against teachers in Namibian schools.
Fellow teachers raised concerns about the increasing incidents of verbal and physical abuse directed at educators, often by parents or guardians who feel entitled to intervene in disciplinary matters.
While the ministry of education has policies in place against corporal punishment and to protect teachers, the teachers said, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many educators feel unsupported when faced with such confrontations.
Teachers at the school further called for swift action against those who resort to violence against educators. They reiterated that teachers must be allowed to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or assault, and urged parents to channel their concerns through proper school channels.
“I respectfully request that the ministry urgently address this matter to ensure the protection of teachers and learners, and to reinforce the proper channels for resolving disputes between parents and school staff,” Shitope said.
When contacted for comment on Tuesday evening, executive director in the education ministry, Gerard Vries, acknowledged receipt of the inquiry but expressed that the timing, being on short notice, did not allow for the principle of “hearing the other side” to be fairly observed.
He stated that he would immediately forward the matter to senior officials to investigate and provide a formal response.
Vries further emphasised that the ministry takes all allegations of violence in schools seriously and would ensure that due process is followed.
According to Shitope, Kandovazu’s daughter has since apologised to her for her father’s behaviour.
The Windhoek Observer could not obtain comment from teacher’s unions by the time of going to press.
