Couple who chained granddaughter released on warning

A 94-year-old man and his girlfriend (56), who were arrested last weekend for allegedly abusing and chaining their orphaned nine-year-old granddaughter at Otambo ya Kawali village in the Oshikoto Region, have been released on a warning.Court records show that nonagenarian Kanime Johannes and Ndeshihafela Immanuel abused the child between 1 and 22 April.Information provided to Namibian Sun indicates that the victim was reportedly spotted walking with chains around her ankles at local cuca shops in the village, which led to residents informing Omuntele constituency councillor Sacky Nangula.Nangula yesterday confirmed that he immediately alerted the police for further action.Namibian Sun learnt that at some point, the girl was also burned with boiling water by the couple. She arrived at the couple’s residence when she was just four years old after her parents died. She is reportedly in grade two and has repeated grades due to lack of care and poor nutrition.The victim also receives the monthly grant for orphans and vulnerable children, but the money is reportedly abused by her two guardians and she hardly benefits from it.Johannes and Immanuel have allegedly also abused her by beating her and chaining her to a tree.Legal aidOn Monday, the two appeared before Magistrate Evette Levien Fredericks in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to abuse, neglect, abandonment and contravening the Child Care Protection Act. The State was represented by Wisdom Ndakondja.Their case has been postponed to 7 September for further police investigation.Fredericks explained to the co-accused that they have three options regarding the charges brought against them. Either they conduct their own defence, arrange for a private lawyer or apply for a legal aid lawyer.They both opted to apply for a legal aid lawyer.If found guilty, the two could face a fine not exceeding N$50 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both.

Couple who chained granddaughter released on warning

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Couple who chained granddaughter released on warning

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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