Ester Mbathera
Transactional relationships where older men engage with underage girls, often called “blessers” or “sugar daddies”, remain widespread across the country.
Wealthy and respected men are often involved, with girls as young as 13 drawn into these relationships.
Ohangwena Governor and former police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said the rise in these cases is partly due to the involvement of some parents.
“Parents are to blame for this. Some parents know that their child is going out with an older person, but because they need the money the girl is bringing in, they support her and keep quiet. Some are even contributors to these relationships,” he said.
According to Ndeitunga, sexual relationships between adults and minors under 16 amount to statutory rape, even if the minor consents.
“Statutory rape is a pure criminal offence. If you go out with someone who is 16 years and younger, that is statutory rape. Even if they give consent, that consent is not legally valid because they are not mature enough to have proper judgment,” Ndeitunga explained.
Under the Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000, the age of consent in Namibia is 16.
Ndeitunga said poverty and the desire for luxury items like cellphones often push young girls into these relationships.
“This is not an acceptable culture we should tolerate. Our community must be sensitised, especially parents, community leaders, and church leaders, to protect our young girls,” he said.
He also warned men to verify the ages of girls they become involved with.
“Even if a child looks 18 or 22, in reality, she might still be 17. Men must be careful. Otherwise, they could face criminal charges,” he said.
Concerns about these relationships are not new.
In 2022, the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) linked the problem to the late disbursement of Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) payments.
Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said police only open criminal cases when children are forced or lured into relationships.
“We open cases where elements of crime are present, where children are used under coercive circumstances. Like the many rape cases you hear about, either the child was lured with money or given prizes, and in the end, the children are raped,” she said.
She said the police do not investigate consensual relationships unless coercion, grooming, or abuse is involved.
The Child Care and Protection Act of 2015 requires anyone working with children to report suspected abuse to a state social worker or the police.
Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to N$20 000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Youth leader Duminga Ndala of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) said transactional relationships are driven by poverty and societal decay, especially in rural areas such as Kavango East and Kavango West.
“You’ll be shocked that at 13 years old, in the regions of Kavango East and West, particularly in the villages, they are already mothers and parents,” she said.
Ndala said young girls are often pressured into these relationships.
“They are coerced into doing things they would not necessarily do if they were dating their peers,” she said.
She said the situation has led to teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and the spread of HIV and AIDS. Ndala criticised the silence of the church and traditional authorities.
“The church has not risen to the occasion post-independence, and traditional leaders’ voices have been too silent. We need to start creating awareness within our homes, our society, and through these institutions,” she said.
Ndala called for stronger legal reforms to hold perpetrators accountable.
“Our legal system is very lenient towards such predators,” she said.
Legal consultant Dianne Hubbard said laws are not the main problem.
“I don’t think the law is the answer. The real thing is changing public attitudes. The law is certainly a supporting factor, but we need to focus on conscientising young girls to place more value on themselves,” Hubbard said.
She said the laws set the age of consent appropriately.
“The ages are correct. What we need is more spaces where youth can discuss these issues and explore them more deeply,” she said.
Hubbard said many girls are not engaging in transactional relationships out of necessity but for luxuries.
“We’re talking about people engaging in transactional relationships for luxuries, and I think that’s unhealthy on both sides,” she said.
Meanwhile, former agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari is facing multiple criminal charges, including the alleged repeated rape of a 16-year-old girl over a period of four years.
He is said to have been 55 years old at the time.
It is alleged that a child was born from these encounters and that Hengari paid the victim to remain silent.
The charges are currently under investigation.
Hengari and the alleged victim’s relative, Simon Hanga, were arrested in Windhoek on Saturday for allegedly trying to bribe the victim with N$230 000.
They appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of attempting to defeat the course of justice.
Magistrate Monica Andjaba remanded them in custody until 3 June for their next appearance.
State prosecutor Seredene Jacobs said more charges would be added but did not provide details.
She argued that the two men were flight risks and could interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
Legal counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Natjirikasorua Tjirera, took to social media, where he urged the public to be cautious and allow the legal process to unfold.
“Despite this case having been opened in November, Dr Hengari was left to roam the streets of Namibia without the threat of being arrested. Despite this case, he did not attempt to flee. Not only that, he accepted a presidential nomination for Parliament and Cabinet. It was after this acceptance that the media frenzy started,” he said.
Tjirera said the law does not criminalise consensual sexual relations with individuals over 16.
“In Namibian law, consensual sex between individuals over sixteen is perfectly legal. It might be deemed morally reprehensible depending on whose moral compass you use, but surely a 50- or 60-year-old having consensual sexual relations with a 16-year-old is not a crime in our law,” he said.
He said the trial will reveal whether there were exchanges of money or goods and why the alleged victim remained in contact with the accused.
“Why did this young lady continue going back to this man ‘raping’ her for five years? The trial will tell,” he said.
