Africa-Press – Namibia. Hundreds of pupils took to the streets at Swakopmund, Okahandja and Keetmanshoop yesterday to demand justice and accountability following the brutal murders of three young girls at Okahandja.
The marches were held in memory of Ingrid Maasdorp (5), Roswinds Fabianu (6), and Beyonce !Kharuxas (15), whose bodies were discovered dumped in separate areas in recent weeks.
Protesters, dressed in black and carrying placards, submitted a petition to the deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Dino Ballotti, who received it on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Protest organiser Rosa Itolua, who also read and handed over the petition, said: “We stand here together in grief, outrage and solidarity with the countless victims of rape and murder. These brutal acts tear apart families, devastate communities and leave lasting scars on our society. We refuse to be silent in the face of such horror,” she said.
The petition demands justice for the victims, strong protections and real accountability, and notes that every life lost is a call to action and a reminder to do more to protect the vulnerable and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice without delay.
The petition contains 21 recommendations, including the installation of CCTV at schools, improved safety infrastructure, stricter access control measures and mandatory safety training for teachers.
The protesters further demand swifter processing of rape and murder cases, harsher sentencing for convicted rapists and murderers, and greater police visibility.
“They were just children; no child deserves to be taken away from this earth in such a manner. We demand justice for Ingrid, Roswinds and Beyonce – and all the other victims who never received justice,” Itolua said.
When receiving the petition at Okahandja, Ballotti assured residents that the gruesome killings will receive the utmost attention and that “justice shall prevail”.
Otjozondjupa police commissioner Phillip Haiidengwa urged Namibians to remain vigilant, noting that the suspects were still at large.
Thirteen-year-old protester Ocean Veiko also addressed the crowd, saying: “Silence must not triumph over truth. We must stand together to create a safer environment where justice is served.” At Keetmanshoop, junior mayor and pupil spokesperson Dezy Conradie said they were marching in solidarity with their peers at Okahandja, demanding zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and neglect and urging community members and the police to be vigilant and act swiftly to signs of danger. “This is a different time we are living in. A difficult and crucial time where each one of us must look out for one another.
We have to stay alert and protect each other,” said Conradie.
The march is part of a national awareness initiative led by the ministry to confront child abuse. Upon receiving the petition, Keetmanshoop mayor Annelize Knaus echoed their call for justice and action and assured them that their petition would be forwarded to the highest authority.
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