WINDHOEK – The Namibian police have launched an internal investigation into how a female inmate became pregnant, while in custody. The female in question is Johanna Lukas, who last week in an unabashed manner started breastfeeding her infant, while standing in the dock during a pre-trial hearing in full view of all present in the court, including Judge President Petrus Damaseb. Lukas’s relatives, after reading the story in New Era, approached the newspaper with details of the case, saying there appears to be a police cover-up on how Lukas became pregnant while in the police holding cells at Narraville Police Station in Walvis Bay.
Approached for comment Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga, pleaded ignorance, but promised to get to the bottom of the matter. “This is a very serious matter and be assured this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in the police force,” Ndeitunga made it clear in no uncertain terms. Relatives say Lukas was arrested in September 2012, and was having a five-month old baby at the time of her arrest. Lukas, together with Gwen Nelwembe, were arrested in Swakopmund on child trafficking charges and the two women have been in police custody ever since. Lukas gave birth on August 18, while in police custody. She is now at the Wanaheda Police station, where the commander Chief Inspector Josia Shikongo, this week invited New Era to interview Lukas. However, the interview failed to materialize because Lukas was emotional distraught and was sobbing uncontrollably when this reporter went to meet her. She did admit however, between sobs, that an incident happened while she was in a police holding cell in Walvis Bay, which led to her pregnancy. A tearful Lukas said she do not want to talk at this stage, but promised to open up after her next scheduled court appearance before Judge President Damaseb, and her transfer back to Walvis Bay.
Relatives say that the father of Lukas’s child, a male inmate, works in cahoots with corrupt police officers, who allowed him access to Lukas’s cell. Moreover, according to her relatives they are also concerned by the fact that the male inmate who is believed to be the father of the child with Lukas, is constantly pestering her with disturbing messages. The family also hints at the possibility of rape, and have since laid a complaint with the police in Walvis Bay. New Era tried in vain to talk to the station commander of the Narraville Police Station, who this week was said to be locked in back-to-back meetings with senior staff. Regional commander of the Erongo Region, Commissioner Samuel //Hoëbeb, did not return calls or messages left on his mobile phone.
By Roland Routh