Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Windhoek City Police, in partnership with social services and other stakeholders, are developing a plan to address the growing presence of child beggars at intersections in Windhoek.
This follows a recent incident in which a young boy narrowly escaped serious injury while begging at a busy intersection in the central business district.
City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the dangers posed by high-traffic areas and the ongoing efforts to tackle the issue.
She said that while Windhoek municipal bylaws impose a N$500 fine for loitering, begging, or obstructing streets, the City Police are prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.
“In cases where children are found begging, we do not immediately resort to punitive measures. We focus on reintegrating them back into their families or providing them with the necessary social support. We understand the complexity of the situation. Rather than just fining children or individuals found begging, our priority is to address the root causes, which often involve poverty, family challenges, and a lack of social support,” Murapo explained.
She confirmed that child begging incidents have been recorded, with some resulting in serious harm.
“There have been incidents where a homeless person was killed and another narrowly avoided death while begging at an intersection,” Murapo added.
Although there is no direct law prohibiting the act of giving money to children begging on the streets, Murapo emphasized that the Namibian Constitution, as well as various parliamentary Acts, aim to protect children from exploitation.
The Child Care and Protection Act (Act 3 of 2015) prohibits the use of children in criminal activities, including begging, while the Labour Act (Act 11 of 2007) also bans employment for children under 14 and restricts hazardous work for those aged 14-18, indirectly addressing forced begging.
The initiative focuses not only on removing children from the streets but also on offering long-term solutions aimed at preventing future cases of begging.
“The collaboration between the City Police and social services is aimed at reintegrating children back into their families or placing them in the care of appropriate social services. We are looking beyond temporary measures and focusing on sustainable support for these children and their families,” said Murapo.
She said the issue of child begging is not just about public safety; it also poses significant risks to the children involved.
Murapo confirmed that there have been incidents where children or homeless individuals were injured or even killed while begging at busy intersections.
“There have been cases of homeless people being killed, and others narrowly escaping death while begging. This is a serious concern for both the children and other road users,” she added.
