By Rochelle Neidel
TSUMEB – Police in Tsumeb are investigating the murder and rape of 13-year-old Elizabeth Claudia Guim, whose lifeless body was found in the Nomstoub residential area on New Year’s day.
The teenager’s body was found in a riverbed at around 17h00. The visibly shaken Tsumeb community gathered at the crime scene as police ushered her body away.
According to Oshikoto Police Regional Deputy Commander, Willem Peter, the young girl was raped and strangled to death. Two condoms were also found at the crime scene. It is, however, not clear how many people were involved in the rape and murder as no one has been arrested.
The teen was previously seen at a night club situated near the scene of the crime the previous evening after she had left home with a female friend that same night, according to the police.
Peter said it was unfortunate that such a young girl had lost her life in this tragic manner but appealled to parents to take strict measures against their minors that roam the streets in the late hours of the night.
“As parents what are we doing to protect our children? Rape has become a daily occurrence in this town and the police cannot change the situation alone. We need parents and the members of the community to assist by making sure their children are not out at night at such a young age,” he said.
He said in a period of 24 hours about four rape cases were reported in the Oshikoto Region, which also involved girls aged between 13 and 15.
“It is disgusting that criminals have resorted to relieving their sexual needs on children, young children, but we will leave no stone unturned in dealing with these criminals.”
In Omuthiya, a 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with a rape case in which a 13-year-old girl is the victim. The other two cases of rape occurred in Tsumeb’s Mashaka and Soweto residential areas.
Peter also warned sheeben and bar owners who entertain minors at their businesses to refrain from doing so and reminded them that harsh measures will be taken should police come across such acts.
“The bar owners also know how difficult it is for us as police to search for identification documents at bars, but this will never stop us from enforcing the law. It is against the law to have minors as young as 13 at your premises and even sell alcohol to them.”