By Nuusita Ashipala
ONGWEDIVA – This year started off with a number of rape cases in the northern regions, all reported in the first seven days of 2015.
Police have recorded three rape cases in Oshikoto and two more rape cases in Omusati. A minor and a mentally challenged woman are among the victims.
A 16-year-old girl was raped by a domestic worker at her grandmother’s house at Oshitukathitu village in the Outapi Constituency on Sunday.
According to Public Relations Officer of the Omusati Police, Warrant Officer Lineekela Shikongo, the incident happened shortly after lunch while the girl was home with the grandmother.
“The girl was home with the grandmother after another elderly woman with whom she stayed at the house had left home,” explained Shikongo.
It is alleged that a domestic worker, who had only started work at the house on January 3, 2015, lured the girl into a room, forcefully removed her clothes and raped her.
Shikongo advised parents and guardians to avoid leaving their children with employees, especially those that would have just started working for them. He also advised parents to discourage their children from hanging around rooms occupied by men to avoid similar incidents.
The suspect, whose name cannot be revealed as he is yet to appear in court, is from Okapa village in Ruacana Constituency. The girl was visiting the grandmother for the holiday at the time.
Still in Omusati region, a 30-year-old mentally unstable mother of five was raped at the Okandjambwena cucashops at Oshifashembungu on Sunday.
According to police, the lady was having a few drinks before she went to pass water behind the cucashops.
A man, who was also drinking with the woman, approached her and pulled her into the bush. He allegedly raped her and fled the scene.
When the woman rejoined other revellers, some of those with whom she had been drinking noticed that her blouse had been unbuttoned while she had sand in her hair and back. They then asked her what had happened to her.
“That is when she revealed what happened,” said Shikongo.
The suspect is still at large.