Police condemn report exposing rape complainant's identity

Namibian Police have distanced themselves from a crime report circulating publicly that identifies a man who was allegedly raped, saying the document did not come from official channels and was shared without authorisation.

The report relates to the arrest of Onandjokwe Hospital doctor Dennis Noa last week, who has been charged with raping a 26-year-old man. The version in circulation includes the complainant's full name and personal details, and has prompted widespread public concern.

Noa appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Monday. He was denied bail, and the case was remanded to 27 July for further investigation and a formal bail application.

Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi told Namibian Sun that disclosing complainants' identities in sexual offence cases breaches police procedure.

“In the first instance, it is important to clarify to you that any report circulated with the identities of victims of sexual offences is not in accordance with Namibian police force procedures,” Shikwambi said.

She also acknowledged that disclosing a sexual-offence complainant’s identity can expose them to stigma, further trauma and unwanted public attention.

“For this reason, the force remains committed to protecting the privacy and dignity of all victims, particularly victims of sexual offences,” she said.

Shikwambi said the document was not issued by the police's public relations division and did not form part of the official weekend crime and incident report distributed every Sunday.

Internal concerns

She said police were equally concerned about the unauthorised circulation of what appeared to be an internal document, warning that such leaks could compromise ongoing investigations, breach privacy and erode public trust.

Police could not confirm whether the circulating version was the original document or one altered after it was shared.

Shikwambi said police had strengthened their information security measures following previous incidents involving unauthorised disclosure of internal documents and had reminded members that information intended for public release must go out through the public relations division only.

She added that the force continuously reviews its reporting procedures to ensure victims' identities and other identifying details are redacted before information is released to the media.

She urged journalists to verify information with the public relations division before publication, particularly where unofficial documents are circulating, and reaffirmed the police's commitment to safeguarding confidential information and acting against members found to have breached their obligations.