Ndeitunga blasts child rape
The Inspector-General of the Namibian police Sebastian Ndeitunga expressed horror at the increase in the rape of children at the Day of the African Child commemorations.
Following the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, the chief of the police, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, has spoken out about the surge in child rapes in Namibia, also saying that traditional practitioners must be investigated in this regard.
Ndeitunga said that it is sickening to receive reports of babies and young children being raped and killed by adults, especially family members who are meant to protect them.
“This is totally unacceptable in a nation such as ours and is leading to a moral collapse of our society.”
According to Ndeitunga, it is understood that witchcraft is involved in some of these child rape cases and he said that the police should therefore also investigate the traditional practitioners that are involved.
He said that some men are of the belief that if they have sex with babies, it can cure diseases or illnesses.
“It is sick to rape babies or virgins. We are very worried about what is happening.”
He further stressed that parents and caregivers must make sure that they leave their children in the hands of a person they can trust, someone who will not take advantage of the child.
“It is immoral what is happening in family homes,” he said regarding family members raping children. “This is your own blood. How can you treat your own family like that?
“What is wrong with their heads? They do not even have 5% brains. They have 5-1!”
He continued to say that people like this do not belong in society. “They belong in jail.”
According to Ndeitunga, should suspects be found guilty of such a crime, a heftier sentence should also be introduced.
He urged members of society, neighbours and churches to help protect children and if anything is suspected they should report it.
Meanwhile the deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda said the “barbaric behaviour of children being raped and killed by adults and family members is a serious concern for government” and must end immediately.
She made these remarks at the commemoration of the Day of the African Child which took place on 16 June.
Shiweda said that it is shocking to see how adults, and especially family members who are supposed to take care of children, are the ones raping and killing them.
“This barbaric behaviour remains a serious concern for government and it must be stopped without delay!”
She said that children deserve the security of a stable family, and caring and loving parents.
“Children need appropriate feeding and education. The welfare of our children is our collective responsibility. Parents, that is, fathers and mothers, teachers, pastors, business people, and the entire community, but most importantly the government.
She said that the safety of children remains the prime concern of the government. “It remains our responsibility to ensure that our children receive the best opportunities in life by classifying their wellbeing as our highest priority.”
According to her it is imperative that as partners in the education, protection and maintenance of children's rights, stock should be taken of the commitments to this call of duty.
At the start of June, Namibian Sun reported that 16 child rape cases were opened since 17 April. The complainants include two five-year-olds, one of six, seven and nine years old, a 12-year-old as well as a 13-year-old, three 14-year-olds and two 15-year-old children. Four 17-year-old teenagers also reported they were raped.
Out of the 16 cases, one case involves a 14-year-old boy who alleged that he was raped by an 18-year-old male perpetrator.
ELLANIE SMIT
Ndeitunga said that it is sickening to receive reports of babies and young children being raped and killed by adults, especially family members who are meant to protect them.
“This is totally unacceptable in a nation such as ours and is leading to a moral collapse of our society.”
According to Ndeitunga, it is understood that witchcraft is involved in some of these child rape cases and he said that the police should therefore also investigate the traditional practitioners that are involved.
He said that some men are of the belief that if they have sex with babies, it can cure diseases or illnesses.
“It is sick to rape babies or virgins. We are very worried about what is happening.”
He further stressed that parents and caregivers must make sure that they leave their children in the hands of a person they can trust, someone who will not take advantage of the child.
“It is immoral what is happening in family homes,” he said regarding family members raping children. “This is your own blood. How can you treat your own family like that?
“What is wrong with their heads? They do not even have 5% brains. They have 5-1!”
He continued to say that people like this do not belong in society. “They belong in jail.”
According to Ndeitunga, should suspects be found guilty of such a crime, a heftier sentence should also be introduced.
He urged members of society, neighbours and churches to help protect children and if anything is suspected they should report it.
Meanwhile the deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda said the “barbaric behaviour of children being raped and killed by adults and family members is a serious concern for government” and must end immediately.
She made these remarks at the commemoration of the Day of the African Child which took place on 16 June.
Shiweda said that it is shocking to see how adults, and especially family members who are supposed to take care of children, are the ones raping and killing them.
“This barbaric behaviour remains a serious concern for government and it must be stopped without delay!”
She said that children deserve the security of a stable family, and caring and loving parents.
“Children need appropriate feeding and education. The welfare of our children is our collective responsibility. Parents, that is, fathers and mothers, teachers, pastors, business people, and the entire community, but most importantly the government.
She said that the safety of children remains the prime concern of the government. “It remains our responsibility to ensure that our children receive the best opportunities in life by classifying their wellbeing as our highest priority.”
According to her it is imperative that as partners in the education, protection and maintenance of children's rights, stock should be taken of the commitments to this call of duty.
At the start of June, Namibian Sun reported that 16 child rape cases were opened since 17 April. The complainants include two five-year-olds, one of six, seven and nine years old, a 12-year-old as well as a 13-year-old, three 14-year-olds and two 15-year-old children. Four 17-year-old teenagers also reported they were raped.
Out of the 16 cases, one case involves a 14-year-old boy who alleged that he was raped by an 18-year-old male perpetrator.
ELLANIE SMIT
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