Ester Mbathera
Protests broke out across the country on Tuesday as communities, especially children, voiced fear and frustration over their safety.
The protests followed the murder of three young girls in Okahandja.
In Okahandja, residents filled the streets demanding justice.
The killings of young girls have shaken the town, once known as the garden town.
The peaceful march was joined by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Balloti, Swapo member of parliament Fenny Tutjavi, and LPM member of parliament Utaara Mootu.
The leaders stood in solidarity with protestors and called for urgent action to protect young girls.
Balloti accepted a petition from the community on behalf of the ministry.
The petition will also be handed over to the justice ministry.
The victims were five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, six-year-old Rosvind Fabian, and 15-year-old Beyoncé Kharuxas.
Maasdorp, known to her family as their “little butterfly”, went missing and was later found under a bridge on 20 March.
Fabian went missing last week, and her body was found near her school on Friday afternoon.
A day later, Kharuxa’s body was discovered in the Five Rand location.
In Kavango West, learners held a mass march against child violence.
The event, led by the Directorate of Education in partnership with the Kavango West Regional Council, followed a call from the national Ministry of Education.
At Mount View High School in Okahandja Park, learners also took to the streets to express outrage and called for stronger child protection laws.
Teacher Kleopas Nuukushu said violence against women and children is not just a tragedy but a societal failure.
“Today we march for the voices silenced, for the lives stolen, and for the future we must protect. Violence against women and children is not just a personal tragedy; it is a societal failure. We rise together to demand justice, protection, and change. No more silence. No more violence,” said Nuukushu.
According to Namibian police data, nearly four people are raped daily.
Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, 666 rape cases were reported.
The Oshikoto region recorded the highest number, followed by Omusati.
In the Otjozondjupa region, where the Okahandja town is located, 50 cases occurred during the same period.
Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, while speaking to the media on Tuesday, said his office has taken complaints about police inaction seriously and has engaged authorities in such cases.
“When we got complaints that suggested the police were failing to do their job, the office actually engaged to discuss the complaints of this nature. Why are police not active on issues of importance? We are actually making good progress. So the issue of Okahandja, I mostly devise a strategy as to how to protect that area and even to hunt for the alleged killer until he is executed,” he said.
The United Nations also condemned the killings.
In a statement, the UN office in Namibia said violence against girls and humanity is unacceptable and must be addressed with the full force of the law.
“The UN calls for thorough, prompt, impartial and independent investigations to ensure accountability and prevent such acts from happening again,” the statement read.
The UN said these acts are a serious violation of children’s rights and stressed the need to strengthen child protection systems.
As a signatory to key human rights treaties, Namibia is obligated to prevent killings, protect children from harm, and hold perpetrators accountable.
“The loss of any child is devastating, as it tears at the very fabric of society. Every child has the fundamental right to live in safety, dignity and peace,” the statement reads.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of 15-year-old Beyoncé Kharuxas, 5-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, and 6-year-old Rosalind Dinelao Fabian, a national tragedy that must strengthen our resolve to protect all children,” said Hopolang Phororo, UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia.
“The protection of our children must be a non-negotiable priority. We owe it to every child, every parent, and every future generation to act with courage and urgency. The UN in Namibia stands ready to support national efforts and encourages enhanced and coordinated action to prevent and respond to violence against children,” she added.
The mayor of Grootfontein, Thalitha Namati Garises, said Namibia cannot allow women to live in fear.
“We must come together not only as community leaders but as each and every citizen of Namibia, each and every member of the Grootfontein Community,” she said.
She said the fight against gender-based violence must also tackle root causes such as drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness.
