Punish rapists severely and deny them parole – LPM

The Landless People&#039;s Movement (LPM) has called for harsher punishment for rapists, particularly those who prey on children, saying they should never be granted the privilege of parole.In a recent statement, the party&#039;s acting deputy national spokesperson, William Minnie, urged parliament to amend sentencing laws and enforce the most severe penalties in such cases.Minnie said sentences should exclude the possibility of parole or early release and take into account the victim&#039;s age, dependency and vulnerability.His plea follows a series of disturbing cases, including the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in Katutura by her grandmother&#039;s 35-year-old partner, the rape of an intellectually disabled 23-year-old woman in the Oshikoto region by a roommate, and the abduction, rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl in Windhoek.Minnie, who said these are not isolated incidents, argued that arrests alone, as confirmed by police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi, do not constitute justice but reveal a systemic failure to protect women, children and persons with disabilities.“They neither prevent future crimes nor heal the irreversible trauma inflicted on victims," Minnie said.Staggering figuresHe recounted statistics issued by the police, which show that Namibia recorded 2 018 rape cases in 2021 and 2 268 cases in 2024."These numbers reflect a pattern of unchecked escalation, not fluctuation. Even more alarming is the infiltration of abuse into institutions of trust," Minnie said.He cited figures given by the education ministry showing that 21 teachers were implicated in sexual relations with pupils between 2021 and 2024.According to Minnie, when educators become perpetrators, it exposes a national failure in vetting, monitoring, and enforcing ethical standards in education and child protection.“Namibia is bound by international law to protect its most vulnerable. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the state must safeguard children from all forms of sexual abuse."Article 16 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) mandates protection of the intellectually impaired from exploitation," he added, noting moreover that "the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court recognises widespread sexual violence as a crime against humanity, yet our systems remain lethargic, enabling this violence to persist."National sex offenders registerThe party also called for the immediate activation of the national sex offenders register, saying that although legislated, it remains dormant."This undermines public safety and accountability. A functional register enables employers and institutions to vet applicants working with children or vulnerable persons, law enforcement to track recidivist offenders, survivors and families to access protection mechanisms, and the public to be informed of known risks," Minnie said."Delayed implementation hampers efforts to prevent predators from moving within communities undetected,” he warned. Minnie said the party is calling for a fully funded, inter-ministerial strategy linking law enforcement, social services and communities to provide early warning systems, safe reporting and rapid response for at-risk children."The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare must lead. However, the ministry has a pattern of delayed responses in crises. Gender-based violence, child rape and systemic abuse are ongoing issues. The ministry must now lead proactively or be held accountable for dereliction of duty,” he added.Fast-track rape prosecutionsLPM also called for fast-tracked child abuse prosecutions, arguing that justice delayed is justice denied, particularly for traumatised minors.“Namibia needs expedited prosecution for sexual violence against children and persons with disabilities to avoid secondary victimisation and ensure outcomes that restore dignity," Minnie said. "LPM will take this matter to parliament. But this crisis is bigger than any one party. We call on civil society, faith-based groups, trade unions, and all Namibians to act. The lives and futures of our women, children, and persons with disabilities are not expendable,” he stated.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Punish rapists severely and deny them parole – LPM

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Punish rapists severely and deny them parole – LPM

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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