Child assault video leads to arrest of father

A 36-year-old Namibian man is set to make his first appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court today, after a video circulated on social media showing him assaulting his eight-year-old child.

The incident was filmed on Friday at around 18:00 in the Mondesa suburb of Swakopmund. The video was shared online, prompting community members to quickly help authorities locate the suspect where he was subsequently arrest on Sunday night. According to the police report, the man beat the child with his fists and choked him by the neck while grabbing his arm.

The suspect, who is the victim’s father, faces charges of assault with grievous bodily harm and violations of the Child Care and Protection Act (Act 3 of 2015). The child is currently under the care of the mother.

Police investigations are ongoing.

- Leandrea Mouers