Investigation continues to identify dumped baby
The Oshana police say that they will need an expert forensic investigation in an attempt to seek justice in the case of a three-month-old baby that was dumped at the Etango shopping complex in Oshakati on 2 April 2016.
The regional police commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, told Namibian Sun that the investigation was continuing.
Amwele said she did not know how long the process would take. Until it is finalised, the baby's body cannot be buried. Although the police are in possession of surveillance camera footage of the incident, it was not clear enough to identify the woman who dumped the baby.
The footage has been circulated in an attempt to identify the woman but there has been no success.
There were earlier reports of a 26-year-old woman from Otjiwarongo who was questioned in connection with the case. The police would neither confirm nor deny the reports.
Meanwhile, a report by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) indicates that the increasing crimes of baby dumping and infanticide are committed by people who need help.
The report by the LAC's Gender Research and Advocacy Project coordinator, Diane Hubbard, highlights the problem of baby dumping in Namibia, the causes and how Namibia can solve the problem.
According to the report, police statistics only reflect the reported cases.
“It is difficult to estimate the true extent of infanticide and baby dumping in Namibia as such cases may go unreported. However, police statistics and anecdotal information suggest that the problem is a significant one,” the report states. The report says infanticide is usually combined with charges of concealment of birth.
The regional police commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, told Namibian Sun that the investigation was continuing.
Amwele said she did not know how long the process would take. Until it is finalised, the baby's body cannot be buried. Although the police are in possession of surveillance camera footage of the incident, it was not clear enough to identify the woman who dumped the baby.
The footage has been circulated in an attempt to identify the woman but there has been no success.
There were earlier reports of a 26-year-old woman from Otjiwarongo who was questioned in connection with the case. The police would neither confirm nor deny the reports.
Meanwhile, a report by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) indicates that the increasing crimes of baby dumping and infanticide are committed by people who need help.
The report by the LAC's Gender Research and Advocacy Project coordinator, Diane Hubbard, highlights the problem of baby dumping in Namibia, the causes and how Namibia can solve the problem.
According to the report, police statistics only reflect the reported cases.
“It is difficult to estimate the true extent of infanticide and baby dumping in Namibia as such cases may go unreported. However, police statistics and anecdotal information suggest that the problem is a significant one,” the report states. The report says infanticide is usually combined with charges of concealment of birth.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article