Minor loses finger over trespassing

By Confidente Reporter
IN an alleged case of torture, an 11 year-old boy from Groot Aub had his little finger on his left hand chopped off with a panga by a resident in a bid to punish him for reportedly trespassing.
The gruesome act was discovered by officials from the Ombudsman’s office during a January 22 visit to the area who described the incident a serious human right violation committed against David Koch.
Investigations deputy director in the Ombudsman’s office, Timothy Shangadi said that the matter would have gone unpunished after the child’s mother, Gwedoline and the suspect a certain Joao agreed to settle out of court for N$2 000. According to Shangadi the suspect had also threatened the boy’s mother with counter charges had she opened a case against him.
The incident according to Shangadi happened between September and October last year when the victim was reportedly found wandering around the suspect’s property. The suspect reportedly concluded that the minor had the intention to break into his house to steal. He then ordered his two unnamed accomplices to run after the minor, caught him and used a panga to cut off his finger. “We picked up the matter during one of our visits to the area but learned that there was no case opened. We took it up with the police and eventually a case was registered against the suspect. A case on CR17/02/2016 opened after we alerted the police. On our side we closed the file because the relevant authorities have taken over.” Shangadi said. Shangadi said that although the mother approached local police at the time of the incident, she was only given a J88 form to seek medical attention before returning with the completed forms by medical practitioners to open a police case.
Upon return to the police station the following day, the mother was reportedly in the company of the suspect and together told police that they had agreed the accused would foot the boy’s medical expenses.
Meanwhile, Groot Aub police station commander, Warrant Ithete confirmed the suspect’s arrest adding that investigations into the matter continue. Ithete also explained that initially there was no case opened against the suspect and that justice into the matter was now taking its course.
“We do not understand how the mother and the suspect could get into an agreement without the police knowing in such a serious case. Investigations are ongoing, the suspect was arrested and already appeared in court. The child and his mother are now receiving counselling,” Ithete said