WALVIS BAY – The shocking abandonment of a toddler in the dunes has stirred up intense anger among Namibians nationwide, who are now calling for both parents to be held accountable.
The one-year-and-four-months-old baby was found on Saturday morning in the dunes in Narraville, about 200 metres from a busy
road.
From the onset, both police and social workers indicated that the baby was well taken care of, and in a healthy state.
The area in which she was dumped is being regarded as a danger zone due to the incidents of rape that take place there.
“It is still not clear what her motives were, and why she chose to leave her baby in the dunes,” Inspector Iileni Shapumba told New Era.
He said tips received from vigilant community members resulted in the 24-year-old mother being traced to a shebeen in Kuisebmond, where she was selling kapana.
Well taken care of
Shapumba said the little girl was clean, and also properly as well as warmly dressed. “Her overall appearance is excellent, and one could see that she was well taken care of. She was wrapped in a warm blanket, and had additional nappies with her. She had no physical injuries, and no documents were found on her,” he added.
The baby is currently being cared for at a house of safety.
New Era understands the mother was trying to hide in a bathroom to evade the police.
The woman was charged after being questioned by the police, resulting in the public demanding that the baby’s father be charged as well.
However, Shapumba said there are currently no grounds to charge the father, a 27-year-old man who lives in Omuthiya, Oshikoto region.
“We wish to inform the public that before arriving to effect an arrest in this case, we conducted thorough investigations. We are also working with our social workers to look into all circumstances. At this stage, we have no grounds at law to arrest the father,” Shapumba stated.
Father unemployed, but assisted
New Era was reliably informed that the father and his family are currently on their way to Walvis Bay, and that the baby could be released into their care.
Sources close to the family said the father has been unemployed, but had been assisting the mother financially to the best of his abilities. This was also confirmed by the mother while being questioned by the police.
Community activist Sidney Boois said providing love and care is a dual role. Both parents are thus liable, and need to be charged for carelessness.
“Let’s not go for a scapegoat approach; be solution-based,” Boois said while commenting on New Era’s social media page.
Single father of three Herman Williams, who also contacted this publication yesterday, countered that the situation is two-fold, and that a crime should not be compared with a responsibility.
“The mother committed an offence whereby she endangered her child’s life. In this regard, the law should take its course. However, social workers need to sit with both parents to see whether a better solution can be found for the child as her safety is now the most critical issue that one needs to look at,” he added.
Another concerned member of the public Martha Nanus said dumping a child is not the solution, and women who cannot care for their children should be able to leave their children without fear at hospitals and police stations.
“She should have given her child to a neighbour or called a social worker, instead of endangering her child. However, I am thankful that she was found unharmed. The best the police can do is to see if the father is willing to take up full custody of his daughter,” she observed.
Meanwhile, Shapumba insisted that the law should take its course.
“It is important to indicate that children have rights to know and be cared for by their parents, and we as parents have that constitutional obligation. We want to express our gratitude to the public for their assistance in this case. It is important to reiterate that we are still investigating what led to the suspect dumping her baby girl in the dunes, leaving her exposed to danger and without care,” he continued.
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