A woman, who was arrested on Sunday for physically assaulting her six-year-old child, was denied bail by the Katutura Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Making her appearance before magistrate Johannes Shuuveni, the accused, who cannot be mentioned to protect the identity of the minor victim, was informed that the State is objecting to her release on bail, pending the finalisation of her case.

“The state is objecting to bail due to the propensity of the accused to commit similar offences, and it would also not be in the public’s interest,” said prosecutor Tatelo Lusepani.

However, the court informed the accused that should she wish to be released on bail, she may put in a formal request for the court to consider.

The prosecution is charging the accused with a count of assault, read with the provision of gender-based violence. 

The charge is a result of a video that went viral on social media over the weekend in which she is seen assaulting her minor child.

The video depicts her pinning the crying child to the floor and picking up a slipper with which she proceeds to hit the child all over her body – before gripping her by the neck with both hands and continuing to physically attack her while also sitting on top of her.

According to Namibian police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kaunapawa Shikwambi, the incident took place on Lucia Street, Greenwell Matongo, in Windhoek. 

The case has been postponed to 10 October for further police investigations.

- mamakali@nepc.com.na