Hertta-Maria Amutenja and Niël Terblanché
In light of escalating concerns surrounding gender-based violence (GBV), the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo said the law enforcement agency is looking to implement new strategies to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“Identifying and calling survivors to speak out is the main focus. When survivors are speaking out, potential victims could be saved. They will know what signs to look out for. As of May, we are to have our police band across the country and invite people and GBV survivors to come out and talk about their experiences in the hope of saving the next,” said Shikongo.
He expressed a sense of urgency and the need for a more proactive and vigorous response from law enforcement.
He cited a recent tragic incident wherein a woman, despite seeking help from the police before her untimely demise, did not receive adequate intervention.
“I believe we need to do more; we need to be more robust. I recall the case of a lady that was recently killed, in fact when she went to the police before the murder happened. We as a nation just need to do more. We the police are going to change the strategy,” he said.
On Monday morning, 29-year-old Frieda Amadhila died after she was allegedly stabbed by her 22-year-old boyfriend at a flat in Windhoek’s Ausspannplatz.
Police Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga confirmed the incident, saying the suspect and Amadhila were fighting.
“According to the nurses at Katutura Intermediate Hospital, the suspect came and parked his vehicle at the emergency entrance and informed the nurses that there was someone in the car that needed urgent attention. The deceased was declared dead upon arrival,” said Kuwinga.
Kuwinga said the suspect has not yet been arrested as he is fighting for his life due to an injury he sustained on his throat.
At Usakos, the residents took it to the street on Monday to protest against the alleged killing of 29-year-old Lena Williams.
The protest took place before the suspect, 26-year-old Samuel Goseb made his first appearance before the town Magistrate on a charge of murder.
Erongo Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona who received the petition said the police will speed up investigation into the murder of Williams.
Sources close to the investigations alleged that Goseb was taken to the police station on Friday for questioning but asked to go buy a cigarette and vanished.
He is believed to have ambushed Williams who believed that he was in police custody.
Upon her return to her residence on Saturday morning, the accused person attacked her with a knife and stabbed her multiple times.
Goseb, in a desperate attempt to flee, took their three-year-old daughter and headed towards the mountains surrounding Usakos.
He was apprehended after a local farmer offered his gyrocopter to police officers, who were then able to locate the suspect in his mountain hideout.
The residents in their petition also called for the resident who allegedly harboured Goseb to be arrested.
Residents of Usakos protested against the brutal murder of women and also against the possibility that Goseb might be granted bail by the Usakos Magistrate.
The accused person was remanded in custody until he make his next appearance before the court.
*If you’re a victim, or if you know of any victims, CALL the toll-free GBV Helpline 106 for safety, help, information, and counselling. The helpline is run by LifeLine/Childline.
