Police to hunt down negligent parents

Tuyeimo HaidulaOSHAKATIParental negligence has led to the premature death of minors in recent years, a situation that has prompted law enforcement agencies to ponder introducing harsher measures.This in an attempt to prevent little ones – some of society’s most vulnerable - from dying at the hands of those who should be caring for them.The Namibian Police, having spent the week putting heads together with the gender ministry on how to better protect children from negligent parents, said cases where children have died under preventable circumstances have escalated.From children drowning in buckets of Oshikundu or water wells while left unattended, to babies burning to death in huts while parents go out drinking, or toddlers being left alone at home in the care of other minors, the police are worried that enough is not being done by parents to ensure that their children are safe.According Omusati regional crime investigation coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho, any parent who leaves a child unattended and the child dies as a result of their negligence will be arrested from now on.“This is highly unacceptable. We will arrest anyone who leaves a child unattended,” he said.But despite the overwhelming concern from the police, in most cases, parents and caregivers - under whose care children die due to negligence - face little to no punitive measures as far as the law is concerned.‘Pure negligence’Just last weekend, 15-month-old Royal Fatima Fritz was discovered after drowning in a bucket of water. The incident happened at Okalongo in the Omusati Region.The toddler was left playing around the homestead with other children while her mother took a nap.“When her mother came back from sleeping, she found her child’s lifeless body in a bucket of water,” Simaho said. This, he said, is “pure negligence of parents”.“Parents should be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times, and they should ensure their safety by removing all dangerous items from their sight”.Meanwhile in March, the search for a nine-year-old boy ended in a discovery of a shallow grave at Ondjungulume village in Omusati’s Otamanzi constituency.Tuhafeni Malakia’s lifeless body was found by his grandmother. To date, no arrests have been made.It is alleged the boy’s mother left him in his father’s care, who had allegedly fallen asleep.Losing precious livesIn January, Victoria Nambundu died at Mutjwarantja village in Kavango East after she fell into a bucket of water and drowned. It is alleged her mother left her in the care of her father, who had also allegedly fallen asleep when the incident happened.“The incidents are too high where children are left un attended. Through negligence we are losing precious lives. This should not be happening,” Simaho stressed.In another incident this week, two-year-old Sakaria Kamutushi Hangula died after he allegedly burnt beyond recognition, while two people were left with wounds from the fire at Oneputa B in the Oshigambo area.Oshikoto police commander, commissioner Armas Shivute, said the fire occurred in a thatched roof room where the deceased was sleeping.“The deceased’s biological father was left with burn wounds on his arms, face and legs from where he was trying to rescue his baby boy,” he said.Preying on childrenThe gender ministry has also urged the public to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse.Simaho amplified this stance when he expressed concern over toddlers being raped by elders.The latest incident took place on Tuesday at about 12:00 at the Omufituwanauyala village in the Anamulenge constituency when a domestic worker allegedly raped a four-year-old girl.“The suspect went with the victim to a neighbour’s house,” Simaho said, adding that upon her return, the girl complained about pain between her legs.The victim’s mother reported the incident, he said, adding that police applaud her for speaking out and not protecting the suspect as most parents still conceal rape incidents.The suspect Asser Mpinge, an Angolan national aged 17, appeared in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He has been denied bail and his case has been postponed for further police investigations.

Police to hunt down negligent parents

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-27

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Police to hunt down negligent parents

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-27

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