Rape: Omusati police go to church for divine intervention
Omusati police regional commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, will attend the Tsandi Elcin church this Sunday and seek to speak to churchgoers about the alarming cases of rape in that part of the region.
Basson and his management said they have noticed with concern escalating incidents of rape in the region and will be engaging members of the public to create awareness and to make sure that perpetrators are brought to book.
The Omusati Region recorded about 200 rape cases from January last year until August 2024. In the first eight months of this year, the region recorded 87 rape cases.
Pervert pastors
The most recent case that sent shock waves across the country is that of a pastor who allegedly raped and impregnated his 15-year-old stepdaughter at Ombongo village in the Tsandi constituency and is currently on the run. The stepdaughter gave birth to a baby boy two months ago.
Basson told Namibian Sun on Tuesday that the police are seeking public assistance to arrest the pastor, adding that he will personally leave no stone unturned to find these criminals.
He expressed what he termed “severe concern about these cases”, which he said give him sleepless nights as police efforts seem to be in vain and much more needs to be done.
Basson said it is a disappointment that the girl child, in particular, as well as minor boys and women are not safe in the region and hardly a week passes without a rape case being reported.
Most of the time, these rapes are committed by “fathers, uncles and other close male family members who are supposed to be the guardian angels of these boys and girls,” he said. “This gives me sleepless nights, but I will not relent. The struggle shall continue,” he said, urging the media to join him in this fight.
The chief of police in the Omusati Region added that, for him, when it comes to rape, there is no need for investigation - particularly where minors are involved.
“Rest assured that it is gloves off for me. No mercy,” Basson stressed.
'The earlier, the better'
Last week, Omusati police arrested a 44-year-old principal for allegedly raping and impregnating his own 14-year-old daughter.
The incident took place at Oshikushashipya village in the Etayi constituency and was exposed after the pregnancy was discovered. The girl’s mother reported the incident to the police.
In the same region, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her uncle at Omakuva village in the Onesi constituency last Monday. A rape case has been opened. The police said it is alleged that the suspect sneaked into the victim’s bedroom at around 23:00 while she was fast asleep, and raped her. He has yet to be arrested.
Basson said there is no time frame to when individuals can report rape cases, but emphasised “the earlier, the better”.
Omusati police inspector Anna Kunga said the planned visit to the Elcin church this Sunday is to encourage families to report cases early because when too much time passes, it makes it difficult for the police to investigate.
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Basson and his management said they have noticed with concern escalating incidents of rape in the region and will be engaging members of the public to create awareness and to make sure that perpetrators are brought to book.
The Omusati Region recorded about 200 rape cases from January last year until August 2024. In the first eight months of this year, the region recorded 87 rape cases.
Pervert pastors
The most recent case that sent shock waves across the country is that of a pastor who allegedly raped and impregnated his 15-year-old stepdaughter at Ombongo village in the Tsandi constituency and is currently on the run. The stepdaughter gave birth to a baby boy two months ago.
Basson told Namibian Sun on Tuesday that the police are seeking public assistance to arrest the pastor, adding that he will personally leave no stone unturned to find these criminals.
He expressed what he termed “severe concern about these cases”, which he said give him sleepless nights as police efforts seem to be in vain and much more needs to be done.
Basson said it is a disappointment that the girl child, in particular, as well as minor boys and women are not safe in the region and hardly a week passes without a rape case being reported.
Most of the time, these rapes are committed by “fathers, uncles and other close male family members who are supposed to be the guardian angels of these boys and girls,” he said. “This gives me sleepless nights, but I will not relent. The struggle shall continue,” he said, urging the media to join him in this fight.
The chief of police in the Omusati Region added that, for him, when it comes to rape, there is no need for investigation - particularly where minors are involved.
“Rest assured that it is gloves off for me. No mercy,” Basson stressed.
'The earlier, the better'
Last week, Omusati police arrested a 44-year-old principal for allegedly raping and impregnating his own 14-year-old daughter.
The incident took place at Oshikushashipya village in the Etayi constituency and was exposed after the pregnancy was discovered. The girl’s mother reported the incident to the police.
In the same region, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her uncle at Omakuva village in the Onesi constituency last Monday. A rape case has been opened. The police said it is alleged that the suspect sneaked into the victim’s bedroom at around 23:00 while she was fast asleep, and raped her. He has yet to be arrested.
Basson said there is no time frame to when individuals can report rape cases, but emphasised “the earlier, the better”.
Omusati police inspector Anna Kunga said the planned visit to the Elcin church this Sunday is to encourage families to report cases early because when too much time passes, it makes it difficult for the police to investigate.
- [email protected]
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