Murder, rape of girl (5) shakes Okahandja

The town of Okahandja is in mourning following the tragic and brutal death of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, a Grade 0 learner at K.W. Von Marees Primary School. Ingrid was reported missing on 20 March 2025 after being dropped off at school by her uncle. Her body was discovered the following day in a tunnel near the new bridge along the B1 road in Veddersdal.What began as a missing persons case has since become a devastating nightmare for the Maasdorp family and a call for justice that continues to go unanswered.“We dropped her off like we always do,” recalled her grandmother, Dolly Maasdorp. “Her nephew took her into the classroom. But when they came back to fetch her, she was gone. No teachers in sight. Nothing. We searched everywhere.”According to the family, they were only informed after Ingrid had disappeared that the school had been closed due to heavy rains. A fellow learner reportedly told police that Ingrid was picked up by an unknown woman — the last time she was seen alive.“The police were told that a lady picked her up, but they dismissed it because the boy was small,” said the grandmother. “What does that mean? He said it twice, exactly the same. Why ignore that?”Dolly described the grim discovery. “Her body was found in the second tunnel. But it was the first tunnel where they raped and killed her, then dumped her into the second one with the water.”Ingrid’s body was recovered on Friday, 21 March 2025. Initial assumptions suggested she may have drowned, but after speaking with the family and learning more, authorities began to suspect foul play — suspicions that were tragically confirmed.“The autopsy has been conducted and confirmed,” said Police Spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi. “The child was raped, strangled, and dumped in the water. An investigation has been launched and is ongoing. Cases of rape, murder, and defeating the course of justice are being pursued.”The family's anguish only deepened when they saw the condition Ingrid was found in. “When we saw the marks on her face, we knew she might have been dragged — on sand or something rough. Her nails were trimmed, as if she was trying to hold onto something,” said Dolly, her voice breaking. “Her school shoes, one sock, lunchbox, and water bottle are still missing. Where are her things?”Only a few items — one sock, an empty backpack, and a pair of short leggings — were found on the opposite side of the bridge from where her body was discovered.The Maasdorp family continues to seek answers and feels their pleas for justice are being buried under bureaucratic responses. “If there is any update or progress in the investigations, we will inform the public,” said Shikwambi. “However, we do not share autopsy or death outcomes publicly. For any specific queries, please consult directly and you will be updated.”But this response has offered little solace to a grieving family. Dolly Maasdorp, who raised Ingrid as her own, struggles to understand how this could happen in a place meant to protect children.“She knew not to talk to strangers — we taught her that. And the school knew that only her grandfather was allowed to fetch her. Only him,” she said. “Why didn’t the school call us?”Though the town helped lay Ingrid to rest, the pain remains raw. A reward has been offered for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible. The family continues to plead with the public for help.“This cannot happen again,” said Dolly. “Our children deserve safety, and we deserve justice. Please, if anyone knows anything, speak.”As the sun sets over Okahandja, a community mourns not just the loss of a child, but the innocence stolen

Murder, rape of girl (5) shakes Okahandja

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Murder, rape of girl (5) shakes Okahandja

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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