Omaheke records 85 child neglect, abuse cases in a year

The Omaheke region recorded 85 child protection cases during the 2025/26 financial year, with authorities warning that abuse, neglect and other forms of vulnerability continue to place children at risk.

The figures were highlighted during Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate's state of the region address, where he outlined progress and challenges in social welfare services across the region.

Of the 85 reported cases, 71 progressed to the care plan stage. The cases included physical abuse, sexual abuse and severe child neglect. Formal criminal cases were opened in 83% of the reported cases.

The directorate of gender equality, poverty eradication and child welfare provided a range of interventions, including trauma counselling, family support referrals, care planning and the preparation of vulnerable witnesses for court proceedings.

The region also reported progress in supporting children affected by difficult circumstances.

Six children living and working on the streets were successfully reintegrated into the education system, achieving a 100% reintegration rate. A further 17 vulnerable children participated in a rehabilitation and skills development programme implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service.

Nganate said child protection required a collective effort, urging communities to report cases of abuse and neglect while strengthening support systems for vulnerable children.

Critical shortages

Despite these achievements, Nganate said a severe shortage of social workers remained one of the region's biggest obstacles to expanding social welfare services.

"Social services delivery is severely constrained by a critical shortage of personnel, with only three social workers serving all seven constituencies," he said.

He said the shortage was limiting the region's ability to respond effectively to growing demand for child protection, psychosocial support and community welfare services.

Despite the staffing shortages, the child care and protection directorate made progress during the reporting period through targeted interventions to strengthen child protection and improve household resilience.

The governor said comprehensive social work services were provided to children affected by violence, gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, abandonment, neglect and malnutrition.

Nganate also highlighted a successful intervention in a child-headed household at Vergenoeg, where social workers facilitated family tracing, hostel placement and the development of an appropriate care plan.

Psychosocial support services remained a critical component of the region's welfare programme, assisting vulnerable children and young people facing teenage pregnancy, behavioural challenges, HIV-related issues, substance abuse and material deprivation.

A total of 834 psychosocial cases were registered during the financial year, of which 721 (86%) were successfully finalised.

Alternative care and child justice services also remained active, with 116 kinship care and residential placement cases registered during the reporting period. Of these, 64 were finalised.

In addition, 37 children in conflict with the law were formally assessed, while 20 were diverted from the criminal justice system through the child justice programme, prioritising rehabilitation over prosecution.

Violence prevention also remained a key priority, with awareness campaigns conducted in schools and communities focusing on violence against children, online sexual exploitation, gender-based violence and trafficking in persons.

[email protected]