Prinsloo, Pitt laid to rest amid silent protest

Swakopmund community members held a silent march against gender-based violence (GBV) in the town on Friday, a day before Ivan Pitt, who committed suicide following a police manhunt, was laid to rest at Tamariskia cemetery on Saturday. Pitt (29) had been wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of his girlfriend, 39-year-old Lindie Prinsloo, who was buried on the same day in Outjo.The march was initiated by Tasneem Ochs and was aimed at creating awareness about the effects of GBV.“This march is not just necessarily about the recent murder of Lindie Prinsloo, but also for every other GBV victim and those trapped in abusive relationships,” Ochs said.She said she plans to mobilise those other towns in the region to march against GBV at least once a month.Pitt's mother, Bridget, said she hoped the whole of Namibia had learned something from the tragedy that had played out in Swakopmund recently. “Our community should unite. We must stop pointing fingers, we must respect and consider the feelings of others. No one was present and really knows what happened that led to this tragedy. We must, however, do whatever we can to prevent something similar from happening again. Ivan is and will forever be my son. He would have turned 30 on 2 December,” she said. Pitt was reported missing after Prinsloo's body was discovered with her throat slit at No 15 Harder Street in Vineta.His body was found two days later. Bridget said police officers had apologised for not conducting a thorough search of the house where Prinsloo's body was discovered on 3 November and where Pitt's body was later found.During a short ceremony at the Pitt home, church elder Kilo Stoffel consoled the family and encouraged them to take refuge in Christ, who he said was capable of calming the storm that was raging. The immediate family wore blue T-shirts with Pitt's image printed on the front.They escorted the hearse on foot to the Tamariskia graveyard. Once at the graveyard, Bridget and her husband were allowed to briefly bid their son a final farewell. Family and friends carried the coffin to the grave. It was then lowered into its final resting place.Those who attended the funeral returned to the house where the ceremony started and then departed to the St Stefanus Catholic Church for the funeral service. Frederika Pitt, the niece of the deceased, delivered the obituary.“Family and friends should remember him the way he was. He was hardworking and always ready to assist a person in need.”OTIS FINCK

Prinsloo, Pitt laid to rest amid silent protest

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-02

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Prinsloo, Pitt laid to rest amid silent protest

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-02

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