Lüderitz youth lead march over fatal assault on woman (74)

Lüderitz community members have been called on to stage a protest march on Saturday demanding justice for 74-year-old granny Frieda Ngwedha, who died on 9 January after being brutally assaulted and robbed on 16 December.

The !Nami #Nus Youth Forum is leading the event, which will focus on drugs under the theme 'It takes a community to safeguard its youth'.

Participants are expected to gather at the Lüderitz taxi rank at 09:30 and march to the police station on 21 February to hand over a petition.

“My grandmother was attacked, robbed and struck on her head with an object on her way home," said Nehemia Mutaleni, who added that Ngwedha was returning from Metro.

She was hospitalised but later died from her injuries.

A murder case was opened after the autopsy report became available, but no arrests have been made, Mutaleni added.

Taking a stand

Youth organiser Ndeshipanda Akewenye said residents are fed up with crime.

“We are tired of drug-related deaths, housebreakings and people stealing to feed their drug addictions. It's time we make a stand and invite the entire community to take part in the demonstration. We stand or we fold, and we choose to stand."

Akewenye, a rehabilitated drug user, said many believe the death of Ngwedha was connected to drug abuse.

“It is a known fact that drug users frequent the area where the deceased was attacked and robbed, injured and died as a result of that. We want answers and the culprit/s to be brought to justice."

He explained that the petition, which has so far been signed by 120 people, is motivated by a range of social ills.

“Housing owners are renting out properties to drug lords and should be held accountable. We are thus calling for increased police presence and community safety initiatives.”

He added: “There was a time when owners of shebeens, bars, clubs and bottle stores required identity cards as proof of legal age. What happened to this practice? We want it to be enforced."