Families urged to stop protecting rapists

TUYEIMO HAIDULA OSHAKATI During the sentencing of businessman Sindano Hango, who was convicted of rape in February last year, state prosecutor Nelao ya France took a swipe at families who protect rapists and put victims through emotional trauma in the process.At the beginning of this month, Hango was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Oshakati Magistrate's Court.He had initially been acquitted of the 2014 rape of a family member, but the state appealed in the Oshakati High Court, resulting in his conviction. The case was then sent back to magistrate Leopoldt Hangalo for sentencing. During the sentencing, Ya France said Hango tried to give the victim N$10 000 to withdraw the case and that the relationship between the complainant and her family has broken down because the family and the police officer investigating the case tried to convince the victim to accept the money. ‘Enough is enough’“I submit that enough is enough. It is time for black families to stop calling family meetings and protecting offenders rather than bringing them to the authorities to be brought to book,” she said. Ya France added that it is time the police and the courts ensure that complainants in rape cases get the justice they deserve.She further described Hango as a “social misfit who does not deserve to live with other human beings”.‘Justice has been served’Human rights activist and director of Woman Solidarity Namibia, Rosa Namises, spoke to Namibian Sun shortly after the magistrate handed down Hango’s sentence. She was comforting the complainant, who burst into tears.“Justice has been served,” she said.Namises said she picked up during the trial that the community and the media were portrayed negatively, as if they should not participate.She said the media has a duty - whether it is in a Fishrot, sexual harassment, criminal or rape case, or whether the highest authority of the land committed the act - they have to speak up and participate and bring the guilty party to book.The media, Namises said, needs to play the role of informing communities.“As the community, we must be willing witnesses to present our cases. The courts are open as long as we speak the truth,” she said.She further lauded the complainant, who, she said, “has stood firm since 2014”. “Women, whether you live in an urban setting or affluent community or are attacked by affluent persons, let us stand up and report [these crimes].”– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Families urged to stop protecting rapists

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Families urged to stop protecting rapists

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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