Chained girl finds a home

A nine-year-old girl who was allegedly abused and chained by her guardians at Otambo ya Kawali in the Oshikoto Region has found a new home.This according to social worker Naomi Mutikisha, who declined to divulge any further information about the case.She said previous reports in the newspaper revealed too much information, which was “detrimental” to the victim’s case. Mutikisha said the girl has been discharged from the Omuthiya Hospital’s children’s ward where she was being temporarily housed as a safety measure, and has been placed under care of another family member. She could say where the girl has been relocated to, or whether she is still enrolled at the same school.‘Problematic child’The girl’s former guardians Johannes Kanime and Ndeshihafela Immanuel have been relieved of any duties to look after her after they were arrested for abusing and chaining her, apparently for stealing a neighbour’s watermelons. Kanime (94) and Immanuel (56) have since been released on a warning and await their next court appearance. The two said the victim has been a “problematic child” for a long time, adding that they have a case pending at the traditional court after the girl allegedly defecated in a neighbour’s house.Failed gradesHambelela Helena Iipinge, the principal of Oshalongo Primary School where the girl attended school, said they were aware of the abuse for a long time. She said the girl failed grade one twice and was only promoted to grade two this year because the policy doesn’t allow her to repeat a grade three times. “This year alone, she did not come to school in January or February. She only attended five days in March. In April, she also didn’t come,” she said. Iipinge added that although the victim has been accused of stealing and being an unruly child, she has not observed such behaviour at school. The principal said the girl has also never stolen anything from school or her home - where she sometimes sought refuge. Yesterday, Iipinge said the girl has not returned to school, adding that they have not received an update on her whereabouts.

Chained girl finds a home

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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Chained girl finds a home

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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