Martin Endjala
The mayor of Aranos, Hans Bafrath faces a possible recall following a gender-based violence incident.
According to reports, Bafrath, a member of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), assaulted his girlfriend last weekend.
Johannes Kooper, the chairperson of the town council, confirmed this, saying that given the gravity of the situation, he is currently discussing with the council whether to recall the mayor.
The Windhoek Observer understands that this is the second time the mayor assaulted his girlfriend.
“We cannot have a party member who continues to be conducting himself in this manner and whose actions are not dealt with. I, as the LPM Aranos Town Council chairperson, cannot, in my right mind, allow such behaviour to go unchallenged,” said Kooper.
The Aranos LPM chair said he cannot tolerate this and that it will damage the party’s reputation.
Kooper said that he would write letters to the party’s leader to request him to recall the mayor and provide a further plan of action.
He said Bafrath’s actions were not only destructive to the council’s image but also tantamount to the community to which they entrusted him to lead them.
Kooper added that he had several meetings with the family of the girlfriend to lay charges, but she remains reluctant.
Kooper said he is working on the matter with the Aranos police station commander and the regional GBV protection unit in the ministry of gender and equality.
“We are against violence against women, children and anyone. Just because you are a mayor or councillor doesn’t mean you can just get away with it, and the mayor has been getting away with it. Enough is enough now,” said Kooper.
This coming week, the council will have a community GBV campaign and a meeting to encourage community members going through a similar situation to speak out.
Kooper’s concern is, however, the reluctance of victims to lay charges.
According to him, such actions undermine the efforts to combat GBV.
He urged the public to report any GBV-related incidents to the peace and not suffer in silence while protecting perpetrators.
Hardap regional police commander, Deputy Commissioner Eric Clay also confirmed the incident.
“The colleagues heard about the incident, but the victim is reluctant to lay an official complaint,” said Clay.
Clay said the police can arrest perpetrators when an official complaint has been lodged.
Either way, there isn’t much it can do if victims do not report these issues to the police.
According to the party’s national spokesperson, Lifalaza Simaata, the national headquarters has not received the letter of request or complaints as it stands.
However, they know that such a letter will arrive at the office.
He said that they are taking the matter seriously and are awaiting the necessary communication to adhere to protocol.
“The Landless People’s Movement does not tolerate GBV. Once the appropriate procedure is followed and if details confirm such an instance of GBV occurred, swift action on the party’s end will be taken,” he warned.
Bafrath’s phone could not be reached for comment.
