Rape Of Our Women: The Great Shame

OF late we fight corruption, terrorism and racism almost all the time through workshops, media briefings and public demonstrations. But we seem to ignore one of the most barbaric forms of atrocity in Namibia – the rape, brutalisation and killing of women.

This week the media carried reports of two significant cases of the rape of two youthful women at Otjozondu near Okahandja and Ntara near Rundu respectively.
The communities’ reaction to the two events were as far apart as the east is from the west.
While at Otjozondu the community stood up to show their anger at the alleged rape of a teacher, the villagers of Ntara, including the parents of the victim and alleged culprits, protested the fact that a teacher had reported the gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl by nine boys to the Police.
The parents wanted the issue settled through the Ukwangali traditional court where the culprits’ parents would have compensated the other party with money or cattle.
Firstly, these two cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Many rape cases remain unreported while the Police, especially in the Khomas Region, have imposed a blackout on crime reports to the media.
Also, since many of the unreported cases are dealt with at traditional authority level, hardly anyone else would know about the injustice against the victims who receive no counselling, for instance, while their relatives smile all the way to the bank!
I agree with Education Minister Dr Abraham Iyambo that everyone associated with the demonstration and threats to break classroom windows at the Ntara Combined School were “sick”.
Although the boys have not been found guilty by a court of law yet, the fact that their parents were willing to negotiate for compensation, in a way, indicates admission of guilt and the boys, aged between 14 and 17, who gang-raped the girl at a cattle crush pen as she was walking home from a funeral need to be firmly dealt with by the parents.
It is a fact that many convicted criminals start with ‘little’ crimes such as stealing something at home or at neighbours’ homes before the severity of their offences increases.
It is also true that if a case is not reported to the Police, such a culprit will continue to commit similar or other crimes. They feel protected by their relatives and the society they live in!
The law permits a minimum sentence of five years for rape. It also states that, if you are involved in gang-rape, you can be sentenced to another minimum five years for helping the co-accused.
The result is the nine boys risked being convicted on nine counts for a minimum of five years – the total being 45 years each.
It is clear that the parents of the boys realised the gravity of the crime and wanted to avoid such a sentence at all costs, but how can the relatives of the victim support a demonstration against the person who reported the matter to the Police when we are supposed to be waging a war against the rape and murder of women? How could they remain indifferent to the suffering of their 14-year-old daughter?
I am happy that Minister Iyambo did not remain quiet about the matter. If anything, he should order the suspension of the boys from school and an investigation into the matter.
The case clearly offers a window into the everyday corruption and injustice endured by many rural-based rape victims in Namibia.
I also hope that the powers of the traditional authorities in dealing with serious crimes such as rape would be reviewed.
If not, families should have the liberty to also charge the suspects criminally apart from receiving compensation at traditional level.
If the families fail, the State, as the laws permit, has the right to charge them.
The rape and violence against our women has already brought great enough shame on the country.