OSHAKATI – The New Year has been marred by  multiple criminal cases being reported, as police revealed several cases of sexual assault against children over the holiday period. Among the victims are two 13-year-old girls and a 10-year-old, a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of child abuse in communities.

The Oshana police are investigating a rape case, after a 30-year-old female cashier at a local bar was raped in Ohailulu village allegedly by her ex-boyfriend in the early hours of Saturday.

According to a weekend crime report on Sunday, the incident happened around 02h00 when the 34-year-old suspect arrived at her workplace and informed the victim that he would take her to their home.

“It is alleged that the suspect thereafter grabbed her cellphone, and the victim followed him to the suspect’s parents’ home to retrieve her cellphone.

While on their way, the suspect started assaulting the victim with his fists and upon arrival, forced the victim to unlock her cellphone, and she complied while the assault continued. The victim then ran into a mahangu field to where the suspect followed her, before grabbing and dragging her into his room. 

The suspect then raped the victim,” it reads.
No arrest has been made yet; the suspect is well known to the complainant as they have a child together.
In a similar incident, a 13-year-old female was allegedly raped on Thursday by a 55-year-old suspect at around 10h00 at Ondongwadhiya village in the Tsandi constituency. 

It is alleged that the suspect, called the victim who is his niece-in-law, to his sleeping room and allegedly had sexual intercourse with her. He reportedly further gave her money in exchange for her silence.

The suspect was arrested and will appear before the Okahao Magistrate’s Court.
In another rape incident on the same day, a 10-year-old girl was reportedly raped by her cousin at the Akalungu village in the Outapi constituency of the Omusati region at around 16h00.

It is alleged that the suspect called the victim into his sleeping room, where he had sexual intercourse with her. The suspect has not yet been arrested.
In an unrelated incident, a 42-year-old female died after she was assaulted with an axe on Friday at Onandjo village.
It is alleged that witnesses heard the voice of a woman screaming, accompanied by the voice of a male person verbally insulting her. Shortly thereafter, only the crying of a baby was heard. The witnesses then proceeded to the scene to investigate. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of an adult female lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by police officers at the scene revealed that an axe was found embedded on the right side of the victim’s head, and visible bruises were observed on the neck. 

The body was removed from the scene and transported to Okahao police mortuary, where it is kept pending a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death,” it reads.
The suspect is known but not yet arrested as he fled the crime scene.Elsewhere, community members helped police apprehend a suspect in Onyuulaye who allegedly attacked a 19-year-old woman with mental challenges. Arrests were also made in Aroab and Oranjemund.

Police are urging communities to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly, and support victims through medical and legal channels. Meanwhile, child rights activists continue to call for greater protection for minors, especially during school breaks.
-Nampa

-Additional reporting by Isai Sipunga