A mother's plea: Bring back death penalty for child killers

As a mother, my heart aches with every report of innocent Namibian lives lost to brutal violence, especially those of our children. Today, I write not as a representative of any group or organisation, but as an individual compelled to voice the raw pain and urgent need for change I feel.My plea to the Namibian Government is simple yet critical: it is time to seriously consider introducing the death penalty as a deterrent to the horrific crimes that are tearing our society apart.Our Constitution, under Chapter 3, guarantees the right to life. Yet, when the very foundation of our society is shattered by relentless acts of brutality, and innocent lives are extinguished with alarming frequency, we must question whether our current legal framework offers sufficient protection.The silence from the highest office, particularly from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in the face of such profound tragedy is deeply troubling. While her recent condemnation of the killing of Ingrid Maasdorp and her call for national unity are noted, words alone are no longer enough. Endless statements from those in power, unaccompanied by decisive action, offer no comfort in the face of persistent violence.We, the grieving mothers and fathers of this nation, demand more than symbolic gestures. We need tangible steps that will genuinely deter these heinous crimes. A Bill on the death penalty must swiftly be tabled in Parliament, with the same urgency seen with other, arguably less critical, pieces of legislation.The speed with which Parliament addresses matters deemed important to those in power stands in stark contrast to the slow and indifferent response to the brutal taking of innocent Namibian lives.The swift implementation of stringent penalties for cattle theft is a painful reminder of this selective urgency. Must tragedy strike the inner circles of power before meaningful action is prioritised?We do not need leaders who simply offer condolences and call for unity. We need leaders who act—leaders who legislate and enforce laws that truly protect our citizens. National prayers, though they may offer solace, cannot replace the urgent need for concrete change.Those in positions of authority have the power to end this bloodshed, yet they appear content with platitudes while our children are kidnapped, raped, and murdered.The continued failure to act decisively sends a chilling message: that the lives of ordinary Namibians are expendable. The introduction of a Bill on the death penalty would send an equally powerful message—that the deliberate taking of an innocent life will be met with the ultimate legal consequence.The President’s State of the Nation Address outlined eleven urgent bills for Parliament—yet none addressed the escalating crisis of rape, kidnapping, and cold-blooded murder of our children. Are these innocent lives not deserving of the utmost legislative priority?The performative sympathy of politicians at the homes of grieving families is no longer acceptable. We, the mothers and fathers of this nation, see through the pretence. Genuine concern would have translated into concrete solutions long ago.We have seen how swiftly legislation is introduced when the interests of the powerful are at stake. The blunt example of the rapid passage of penalties for cattle theft in 2003—after the loss of livestock belonging to former Home Affairs Minister, Comrade Jerry Ekandjo—stands as a glaring testament to this selective urgency. Must one of their own children become a victim before decisive action is finally taken?Even the language used to describe some of these horrors, such as "passion killing," dangerously normalises the unthinkable. There is nothing "passionate" about extinguishing a human life.The time for incremental measures and empty condolences is over. The Namibian Government must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting all its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.If Chapter 3 of our Constitution is seen as hindering the implementation of effective deterrents against murder, then it must be amended—or even erased—to allow for the introduction of the death penalty for the most heinous crimes.This is not a call for vengeance, but a desperate plea for justice and for a system that unequivocally values and protects innocent life.As a mother, I stand ready to advocate for a Namibia where our children can grow up without the constant shadow of fear. Let us be clear: this is not about revenge, but about demanding justice and establishing a powerful deterrent against the senseless violence that plagues our nation.We, the mothers of Namibia, are weary of burying our children. We are weary of the empty words and insincere concern of those in power.We demand action. We demand a Bill on the Death Penalty—now.The bleeding hearts of this nation will not find peace until concrete steps are taken to safeguard the lives of all Namibians.

A mother's plea: Bring back death penalty for child killers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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A mother's plea: Bring back death penalty for child killers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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