Theofelus condemns murder of five-year-old girl
Information and communications technology minister Emma Theofelus on Wednesday called on all Namibians to condemn the merciless killing of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp in Okahandja.
Maasdorp was raped and strangled before her body was dumped in water.
Namibian police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi this week said an investigation is ongoing.
Maasdorp had been reported missing by her family on 20 March and her body was discovered later that same week under a bridge.
Frustration has been growing among her family and the public over the handling of the case and the fact that no one has been arrested in connection with the little girl’s death.
Theofelus was speaking yesterday during the eighth University of Namibia 2025 graduation ceremony being held in Ongwediva for the four Northern Campuses.
She warned that the escalating violence in Namibia is unprecedented.
“As a government, we have learnt of the merciless rape and killing of a five-year-old baby girl. We offer comfort to the bereaved family,” Theofelus said.
Act now
The minister said all Namibians need to condemn in the strongest terms the harm being meted out against the most vulnerable members of the society.
“As a nation, as patriotic people of Namibia, we must love and protect the most vulnerable, otherwise we fail to meet the basic standards of what a true nation is,” Theofelus said.
She added that as a student leader, she used to say: “When justice is not a priority to us, it is usually because we are not affected by the injustice yet.”
She urged Namibians not to wait until they are personally affected by injustice before raising their voices and taking action.
The minister emphasised that it is up to all Namibians to uproot violence in the country.
She called on citizens to go beyond mere condemnation and to engage in tangible actions that contribute to creating a safer environment.
Maasdorp was raped and strangled before her body was dumped in water.
Namibian police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi this week said an investigation is ongoing.
Maasdorp had been reported missing by her family on 20 March and her body was discovered later that same week under a bridge.
Frustration has been growing among her family and the public over the handling of the case and the fact that no one has been arrested in connection with the little girl’s death.
Theofelus was speaking yesterday during the eighth University of Namibia 2025 graduation ceremony being held in Ongwediva for the four Northern Campuses.
She warned that the escalating violence in Namibia is unprecedented.
“As a government, we have learnt of the merciless rape and killing of a five-year-old baby girl. We offer comfort to the bereaved family,” Theofelus said.
Act now
The minister said all Namibians need to condemn in the strongest terms the harm being meted out against the most vulnerable members of the society.
“As a nation, as patriotic people of Namibia, we must love and protect the most vulnerable, otherwise we fail to meet the basic standards of what a true nation is,” Theofelus said.
She added that as a student leader, she used to say: “When justice is not a priority to us, it is usually because we are not affected by the injustice yet.”
She urged Namibians not to wait until they are personally affected by injustice before raising their voices and taking action.
The minister emphasised that it is up to all Namibians to uproot violence in the country.
She called on citizens to go beyond mere condemnation and to engage in tangible actions that contribute to creating a safer environment.
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