Hamunyela urges Khorixas women to take threats by men seriously
Khorixas-based public prosecutor Penda Hamunyela has urged women living in the area to take insults and threats made against them by men seriously, as they lead to assaults and murder.
Hamunyela, who addressed women at a meeting held at the Khorixas Magistrate's Court last Friday, stressed that women have a tendency of not reporting insults as well as threats because their partners could be breadwinners, adding that this is a great concern to the public prosecutor's office.
“Simple insults can be reported to the Namibian Police Force and to my office so that I can take the necessary steps. If men start insulting women, then it is a sign that they are capable of hurting them or even murdering them. I also advise you to call me any time you need help,” he said.
Hamunyela noted that women in Khorixas tend to open cases only to withdraw them for a number of reasons such as children who are fed by their fathers and out of pity.
Another challenge the prosecutor's office faces is witnesses in gender-based violence (GBV) cases who are not willing to testify in court.
This, he said, “is making it difficult for my office to have the accused persons prosecuted because there are not enough or no witnesses at all”.
He said denying bail to GBV-accused persons can be made possible when a number of people are willing to testify on why they think the accused should not be granted bail.
Approximately 90 women attended the meeting.
NAMPA
Hamunyela, who addressed women at a meeting held at the Khorixas Magistrate's Court last Friday, stressed that women have a tendency of not reporting insults as well as threats because their partners could be breadwinners, adding that this is a great concern to the public prosecutor's office.
“Simple insults can be reported to the Namibian Police Force and to my office so that I can take the necessary steps. If men start insulting women, then it is a sign that they are capable of hurting them or even murdering them. I also advise you to call me any time you need help,” he said.
Hamunyela noted that women in Khorixas tend to open cases only to withdraw them for a number of reasons such as children who are fed by their fathers and out of pity.
Another challenge the prosecutor's office faces is witnesses in gender-based violence (GBV) cases who are not willing to testify in court.
This, he said, “is making it difficult for my office to have the accused persons prosecuted because there are not enough or no witnesses at all”.
He said denying bail to GBV-accused persons can be made possible when a number of people are willing to testify on why they think the accused should not be granted bail.
Approximately 90 women attended the meeting.
NAMPA
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