Hilma Hashange
The Namibian Police Force in Oshikoto have urged community members to report rape cases and not try to cover them up.
Chief Inspector Frieda Nandjato said many rape cases in Oshikoto region are pushed under the carpet and resolved between the affected families.
Speaking during a gender-based violence campaign in Onalunike village in the Omuthiya constituency, Nandjato said statistics from April 2025 to April 2026 showed a total of seven rape cases reported in the village, consisting mainly of minor children.
“We have noticed that rape cases here in Onalunike also include boys. This sodomy practice has us worried. We want to appeal to you all that if you come across someone who has been raped, please be aware that there are procedures to follow. You should immediately report that case. We have children from as young as two years old, up to 10 years old, who have been raped in this village. “These children are getting raped because the elders are not present at home. They have made cuca shops their homes. We no longer practice the culture of hosting night discussions. In the end, there is simply no time to be informed of what has happened in the homestead during the day,” Nandjato highlighted.
She further noted that the culprits are mainly boys who herd livestock and lure toddlers with N$1 and chips packs.
“These boys get paid for herding livestock and trick the toddlers into their rooms with the pretence of giving them a dollar or perhaps buying them those glucose biscuits. Once the toddler enters the room, he or she is tricked by the perpetrator to engage in unsolicited advances,” Nandjato said.
She warned that rape can leave a permanent psychological scar on a young child, so much so that a child can grow up without getting married or engaging in any relationship because of the trauma caused by rape.
She further appealed to those involved in concealing rape cases and demanding to be financially compensated to desist from such actions but to rather report the cases to the relevant authorities.
Echoing Nandjato’s sentiments, regional councillor for Omuthiya constituency Erastus Nekomba informed elders who inappropriately touch children when bathing them or fondling their genitals to stop doing so, as that is also regarded as rape.
“We should not be hearing from school that a child is being abused. Teach the children to be free to speak out when they feel frightened,” said Nekomba.
He also advised men not to physically harm their partners in an attempt to discipline them.
“If you are capable of having a girlfriend or a boyfriend, then that means you are mature enough to be in a relationship. Do not try to teach your partner manners because, if you can have arguments with your siblings, how about with someone who you just met and is not your relative? People do not solve problems through abuse. Let us try to communicate, and if you cannot come to a resolution, you can seek counselling,” said the councillor, who urged for zero tolerance against gender-based violence amongst the community members.
*Hilma Hashange works for MICT in Oshikoto