Erongo’s missing persons, parent cover-ups worry police

A 15-year-old boy from Walvis Bay, Wyne Goreseb, is still missing, and the Erongo police yesterday asked for help to find two more missing persons - Lukas Junias (50) and Katrina Paulina Boois (64). According to Goreseb's mother, they noticed that he was not at home at 16:00 on Saturday. He is a grade eight learner at Tutaleni High School and was last seen in a black and white Adidas tracksuit and black Converse All Star sneakers. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Inspector Mansie Amamub at 081 763 8188, or report to the nearest police station. By the time of going to press, chief inspector in the Erongo Region, Ileni Shapumba, said the police were verifying information that Goreseb had been seen in Kuisebmond. Junias was last seen at Farm Schlesien-Noord in the Namib-Naukluft area on 12 August, while Boois was last seen on 10 August in the Otjimbingwe area. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 081 290 2660 or report to the nearest police station. ‘We are concerned’Student Matheus Sheehama was missing for about three weeks in Walvis Bay before his body washed ashore. Residents of Kuisebmond held a peaceful demonstration about the violence in the harbour town.Shapumba said the sharp increase in people being reported as missing worries the police too. "We are concerned - especially about young people who seem to disappear from their homes," he said. "There are many people who are reported missing and then found in unpleasant circumstances, like Shanon Wasserfall who was missing and later found in a shallow grave, and now [Sheehama] whose body washed up [on the beach]," Shapumba said.He added that they remain hopeful that they will find Junias and Boois safe and unharmed.Parents, take responsibilityShapumba also highlighted the issue of young girls going to their boyfriends after arguments at home. He said many parents do not share the whole truth with the police when they report their children as missing. "Parents do not discuss the circumstances that led to their child leaving the house with us. We need to know this so that we can deal with the case as a whole," he said. According to him, parents and residents must take responsibility in their homes and their communities. "We [the police] are dedicated in our service to the people, but we all have responsibilities and we have a duty at home," he said. Shapumba further highlighted drugs as a concern in Walvis Bay."One of our big problems is drugs. We have older people here who sell drugs instead of selling sweets and children who, instead of buying sweets and cookies, buy drugs. We believe they also mix the drugs with other drugs,” he said.He added that members of the community withhold information from the police. "We are quick to say the police must do something, but when the police arrive, everyone is quiet and no one wants to say anything.”- irene-mari@nmh-hub.com.na

Erongo’s missing persons, parent cover-ups worry police

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Erongo’s missing persons, parent cover-ups worry police

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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