Opposition parliamentarian Elma Dienda has questioned the ability of police officers dealing with cases of gender-based violence, saying their investigations take too long, in the process, defeating government efforts to curb the scourge.
“There is a willingness to change Namibian culture and the adoption, implementation and reform of policies concerning gender-based violence are essential to expedite the alterations, but we have to look at the competency of our officials who are occupying these positions. Police investigations are taking too long,” Dienda said.
She said this while contributing to the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Bill in the National Assembly last week.
The MP also bemoaned the departure for greener pastures of prosecutors and magistrates, claiming that they contribute to the backlog of cases and unresolved cases.
Dienda praised the proposed Bill, saying
it is admirable that it defines a primary carer or a primary caretaker as a person other than a parent or caregiver, as defined in section 1 of the Child Care and Protection Act (No.3 of 2015) of a child, whether or not related to the child.
“This person takes primary responsibility for the daily care of the child with the express or implied permission of a parent or other person with custody or guardianship of the child,” she stressed.
She further commended the Bill, saying it clarifies that a domestic relationship between a child and a parent continues even after the child has attained 18 years of age.
“The proposed Bill will safeguard complainants against intimidation, and grant the courts power to grant interim protection orders on an urgent basis in ex parte applications,” she said.
Tabled by justice minister Yvonne Dausab last year, the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Bill proposal includes granting the courts the power to issue victims protection orders without notifying alleged perpetrators of the proceedings or affording them the chance to be heard.
The amendment Bill in general seeks to promote the protection of vulnerable women, men and children who continue to suffer the atrocities of violence perpetrated by those at home and elsewhere.
If approved, the proposed amendments would also make it possible for victims of domestic violence and GBV to apply for a protection order by filing an affidavit at the nearest police station in cases where it is impossible for such persons to make an application at the nearest court.
The proposed amendments would further strengthen the safeguards against the intimidation of complainants by empowering the courts to postpone enquiries to consider whether the steps taken by station commanders are
sufficient.
Courts would also be empowered to make an order for any further police action that may be required to protect the complainant or applicant.
In addition to the ‹no-contact› provision under the existing law, the proposed amendments provide for the courts to direct the respondent to take part in a counselling or treatment programme, and to grant temporary sole custody of a child born or jointly adopted by the complainant and the respondent to the complainant or to another suitable custodian.