Martha Aron (35), who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in cold blood for ending their relationship, was the sole provider for her family.
Aron was on Monday stabbed with a knife while she was in a salon at the cuca shops of Oshifukwa village in the Oshikoto region.
It is alleged that when the suspect went to the salon, the victim refused to talk to him.
“He threw a glass at her but missed. He then took out a knife from his car and stabbed her four times, resulting in her death on the spot,” the police reported.
Police said the victim was in a relationship for 11 months with the suspect.
Her 36-year-old boyfriend, a taxi driver, has since been arrested.
Twin
Speaking to our publication, Aron’s twin sister Hilma Aron described her as a hardworking woman who did not discriminate against anyone in the family.
“We lost a caring sister and peaceful woman,” she said.
“We didn’t know her boyfriend. We just heard about the killing incident.
We are shocked and speechless,” she said, with shock and pain vivid on her face.
Aron left behind two children, an eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy.
Speaking to this publication, education director in Oshikoto Aletta Eises described the incident as disturbing.
“The entire region and the community members are shocked,” she said.
She emphasised the significant role teachers, such as the late Aron, play in society and shaping futures.
“Teachers are very important in the education sector. They are the reason learners can read and write,” she remarked.
She said her office will ensure that learners receive counselling services, as they are traumatised by the loss and gruesome way their teacher died.
“Let’s unite as a nation to fight against gender-based violence. Let’s educate our boys at home while they are young,” she urged.
She said her office has initiated a boy-child programme, where boys are taught to respect girls.
Traditional leaders
Weighing in, Ohamba of Ondonga Traditional Authority Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo urged women not to accept gifts from their boyfriends without notifying their parents.
“Gifts from boyfriends should be notified to the parents because it’s very important for them to know and keep records,” he advised.
He said when the woman ends the relationship with the boyfriend, parents will then pay back the presents that were given.
“Women should learn how to tell the truth to their boyfriends and build trust,” he stated.
He said men should report to the police or community courts whenever they are being dumped by their girlfriends whom they have given presents to.
“Killing is not a solution. Men should seek assistance,” he said.
Church
New Era also reached out to the clergy for their divine intervention.
Pastor of Evangelical Baptist Church in Namibia Laban Mwashekele urged women to stop insulting men whenever they are ending relationships. He urged women to stop scamming men and financially depending on men.
“Women should stop demanding everything from men. It’s very dangerous and risky when the woman wants to end the relationship,” he said.
He also told men to stop assaulting or killing women because they are not enemies.
“Men should not give everything to girlfriends because, later, they turn violent when the woman wants to dump them,” he said.
He added that men should think before they act against women.
“Imagine a family losing their breadwinner over a simple reason. This is very wrong,” the man of cloth said.
Preaching the gospel, Mwashekele urged men to fear God, and not be violent.
Principal
The principal at Onambudu Combined School Jackson Itamalo, where Aron was employed, said he lost a dedicated teacher.
“We lost a peaceful colleague – a woman who did her work on time,” he said.
He added that the late Aron was a teacher to her colleagues and community members because she was always offering counselling services.
She was a grade 3 class teacher, a position she has held since 2016.