The Omusati region recorded about 200 rape cases from January last year until now.
In many instances, those society entrusts with protecting the vulnerable, including fathers, grandfathers and pastors, are implicated in these crimes.
Omusati’s Namibian Police commander Ismael Basson said it is unacceptable that the girl child, in particular, as well as minor boys and women are not safe in this region.
“Hardly a week passes without a rape case being reported as perpetrated by fathers, uncles and other close male members who are supposed to be the guardian angels of these minors,” he stated.
He said such incidents give him
sleepless nights, but assured the community that the police will continue fighting to curb the violence.
Basson observed that among the cases reported is the matter of a pastor at Ombogo village, Tsandi constituency, who allegedly raped and impregnated his 15-year-old stepdaughter. The stepdaughter gave birth to a baby boy three months ago.
The pastor allegedly raped the girl in his room, and in the bush after church.
“His wife, the girl’s mother, reported the matter to the police. The pastor is yet to be arrested, but efforts to trace him are underway,” said Basson.
Last week, the police in Omusati arrested a 44-year-old principal for allegedly raping and impregnating his own 14-year-old daughter.
The incident occurred at Oshikushashipya village in the Etayi constituency.
Another rape case was registered at
the Onesi police station after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her uncle
last Monday evening.
The incident occurred in the
Omakuva village in the Onesi
constituency.
It is alleged that the suspect sneaked into the victim’s bedroom at around 23h00 while she was fast asleep, and raped her.
When the crime report was released on Thursday, the police were still to arrest the suspect.
Recently, the Omusati police arrested a 37-year-old Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) pastor, who is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl between June 2020 and September 2022 at Okando village in the Okalongo constituency.
It is alleged that the suspect raped the minor on five occasions, and fathered the victim’s baby.
Another pastor, Elikana David (33) from Okandi village in the Etayi constituency, was arrested for allegedly raping three female congregation members.
It is alleged that the suspect raped the women on separate occasions.
In an interview with New Era, Omusati police spokesperson Anna Kunga said rape cases are increasing daily.
However, families reporting such cases late make it difficult for the police to investigate matters promptly.
“Especially when the suspect and the victim are related, it takes a long time for the family to come together and discuss the matter whether they will report it or not. Some other people might also be against the allegation,” she stressed.
Kunga added that women and girls
are often threatened with violence if they tell anyone once they have been raped by men known to them, and this fear sometimes causes the cases to be reported late.
“It is, therefore, very important that all cases of rape are reported to the nearest police station as early as possible so that police can act on time,” she said.
Kunga added that people should also stop hiring unknown men from faraway places as domestic workers, because these are the same people who are likely to rape girls at home.
Namibian Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said anyone who feels their rights are violated is at liberty to open a case, regardless of when it happened.
“The Namibian Police have no time limit for reporting rape cases,” she emphasised.