Man with baby passes out near road
JANA-MARI SMITH
A Rundu couple made a shocking discovery late at night last week when they found a man passed out close to a busy road with his baby daughter asleep on his chest.
The Rundu couple, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they were driving home at around 23:00 on Thursday evening when they saw a figure lying close to a busy road, near a village in the Kayengona area.
On closer inspection, they discovered it was a man, who appeared to be passed out, with a baby, roughly 18 months old, sleeping on his chest.
The wife told Namibian Sun they decided to address the situation because they were concerned something could happen to the baby.
“We couldn’t let them lie there, the baby seemed to be at an age where she can crawl, and they were lying very close to a road known for speeding vehicles, especially taxis, so we were worried something terrible could happen.”
She added that the incident was deeply troubling. “She was such a small baby, and this happened because of alcohol. Something bad could have happened.”
The couple immediately alerted a police officer stationed at a nearby satellite station, who accompanied them to the scene.
According to the two witnesses, the police officer was unsure of what action to take.
“He clearly had no clue what to do. He didn’t seem trained to handle such a situation,” the husband claimed.
The woman explained that she considered waking the child but was reluctant to frighten her, so she kept a close eye on her.
Eventually, an employee of the couple made a phone call to an emergency police number and approximately 25 minutes later two unidentified police officials arrived at the scene.
“We are about 20 kilometres away from Rundu, so we were very impressed with their quick response. It was very good service,” the wife said.
The couple said that while they were waiting, the police officer from the satellite station managed to briefly wake the man. According to them, he told them that the mother of the child had refused to look after her and “that we shouldn’t worry, he would take care of her. The baby was sleeping the whole time. And then he fell asleep again.”
After the two officers had arrived at the scene they also woke the man and questioned him again.
The witnesses say he again explained that the mother was absent and admitted he had been at a nearby shebeen, situated no more than 50 metres away. On his way home he felt tired and passed out, he allegedly claimed.
“The one officer took the baby, and he didn’t resist that at all.” They got into the van and drove off.
On Friday, the regional crime coordinator at Rundu NamPol told Namibian Sun no report had been filed relating to the incident and that no information was available as to what happened to the father and daughter.
The couple however confirmed that the vehicle in which the police officials arrived was a standard police van, and that the blue lights were on at their time of arrival. The male officer wore a standard police uniform while the female officer wore a police tracksuit.
According to the couple the experience shocked them and once again highlighted the issue of the number of shebeens in the area, situated close to two schools, the Maria Mwengere Secondary School and the Kayengona Combined School.
They say they decided to share the story in an effort to create awareness about alcohol abuse, the risky behaviour it promotes, and a lack of control by authorities in the area.
Rachel Coomer from the Legal Assistance Centre on Friday said communities have to take an active role in protecting children, one of society’s most vulnerable groups.
Moreover, she explained that there is much need for community-based support to assist in parenting and preventative actions to help support our families.
She urged community members to look for signs that are a cry for help, from both adults and children.
“People should not be afraid to speak up when they see signs of need for support or intervention because the consequences of leaving problems unaddressed could eventually lead to the injury or death of a child.”
A Rundu couple made a shocking discovery late at night last week when they found a man passed out close to a busy road with his baby daughter asleep on his chest.
The Rundu couple, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they were driving home at around 23:00 on Thursday evening when they saw a figure lying close to a busy road, near a village in the Kayengona area.
On closer inspection, they discovered it was a man, who appeared to be passed out, with a baby, roughly 18 months old, sleeping on his chest.
The wife told Namibian Sun they decided to address the situation because they were concerned something could happen to the baby.
“We couldn’t let them lie there, the baby seemed to be at an age where she can crawl, and they were lying very close to a road known for speeding vehicles, especially taxis, so we were worried something terrible could happen.”
She added that the incident was deeply troubling. “She was such a small baby, and this happened because of alcohol. Something bad could have happened.”
The couple immediately alerted a police officer stationed at a nearby satellite station, who accompanied them to the scene.
According to the two witnesses, the police officer was unsure of what action to take.
“He clearly had no clue what to do. He didn’t seem trained to handle such a situation,” the husband claimed.
The woman explained that she considered waking the child but was reluctant to frighten her, so she kept a close eye on her.
Eventually, an employee of the couple made a phone call to an emergency police number and approximately 25 minutes later two unidentified police officials arrived at the scene.
“We are about 20 kilometres away from Rundu, so we were very impressed with their quick response. It was very good service,” the wife said.
The couple said that while they were waiting, the police officer from the satellite station managed to briefly wake the man. According to them, he told them that the mother of the child had refused to look after her and “that we shouldn’t worry, he would take care of her. The baby was sleeping the whole time. And then he fell asleep again.”
After the two officers had arrived at the scene they also woke the man and questioned him again.
The witnesses say he again explained that the mother was absent and admitted he had been at a nearby shebeen, situated no more than 50 metres away. On his way home he felt tired and passed out, he allegedly claimed.
“The one officer took the baby, and he didn’t resist that at all.” They got into the van and drove off.
On Friday, the regional crime coordinator at Rundu NamPol told Namibian Sun no report had been filed relating to the incident and that no information was available as to what happened to the father and daughter.
The couple however confirmed that the vehicle in which the police officials arrived was a standard police van, and that the blue lights were on at their time of arrival. The male officer wore a standard police uniform while the female officer wore a police tracksuit.
According to the couple the experience shocked them and once again highlighted the issue of the number of shebeens in the area, situated close to two schools, the Maria Mwengere Secondary School and the Kayengona Combined School.
They say they decided to share the story in an effort to create awareness about alcohol abuse, the risky behaviour it promotes, and a lack of control by authorities in the area.
Rachel Coomer from the Legal Assistance Centre on Friday said communities have to take an active role in protecting children, one of society’s most vulnerable groups.
Moreover, she explained that there is much need for community-based support to assist in parenting and preventative actions to help support our families.
She urged community members to look for signs that are a cry for help, from both adults and children.
“People should not be afraid to speak up when they see signs of need for support or intervention because the consequences of leaving problems unaddressed could eventually lead to the injury or death of a child.”
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