Taimi Haihambo

ONGWEDIVA – Traditional and church leaders as well as human rights activists are concerned by the growing number of sexual violence incidents against children, perpetrated by senior citizens.

Human rights activist Rosa Namises said the fact that Namibian men considered themselves as masters and women and children as their subjects, could be the driving force behind the despicable trend. 

Among the latest cases was that of an 88-year-old traditional healer, who appeared in court recently for allegedly raping a three-year-old. This is the second time he is appearing in court. This incident took place earlier this year at Okahanya village in the Oshikoto region, and allegedly caused the death of his alleged victim. 

Another senior citizen, aged 74, appeared in court last week for allegedly raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter at Onalukula village in the Oshikoto region. Last month, and again in that region, an elderly man was detained for allegedly sexually molesting four female minors under his care. A case was also opened against his wife for allegedly opting to conceal the crimes which she knew about. 

Namises stated that Namibian men were used to getting what they want, and show little respect to women. The majority of males are still stuck to the traditional ways of life in which men had authority over women, and made all decisions concerning households. 

“They continue to use this outdated stereotype to rape and assault minors,” she stressed.

Namises noted that elderly men are still unwilling to acknowledge that it is wrong to indulge in sexual activities with minors. 

The activist maintained that men have refused to acknowledge the balance of power between men and women. Even if the law makes it clear how perpetrators should be punished, some people will still not respect it. 

“The law is strong enough, but people are just overstepping it,” she added.

Cornelius Tavali is a pastor at Key to Jesus, a revival church at Oshaandja village in the Ohangwena region. He said some men are raping children, as ordered by witchdoctors. 

He observed that the sad part about this crime is the fact that the instigators – the witchdoctors – go unpunished, as they warn their clients (perpetrators) to never reveal their identities if they get caught. Furthermore, these kinds of criminal activities will not cease for as long as the real culprits are actively practising, he added. 

Tavali also warned mothers against leaving children alone with elderly men. These men then end up taking advantage of the children in their care. 

“This is how some rape occurrences start,” he emphasised. 

He further advised that once harm is inflicted, and as part of rehabilitation and a way to deal with trauma, rape victims should be moved away from the environment where molestation had taken place, or away from their abusers.

Senior headman Andreas Naikaku, who is also the spokesperson of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, stated that this ongoing crime is infuriating. 

He pointed out that alcohol and drug abuse amongst senior citizens is a possible contributing factor to the unusual trend. Naikaku is thus advocating for the strengthening of laws in order to discourage such crimes. 

Meanwhile, well-known local pastor, reverend Laban Mwashekele similarly expressed his concern over the nauseating crimes. He was emotional as he stressed that nature dictates for men to be protectors of women and children. 

“Things have now turned around. The fact that men are now babysitting the children instead of women is disheartening. Nature has been turned upside down,” Mwashekele continued.