Do not put prize tags on people’s suffering — traditional leaders told

Human rights activist and social justice activist Rosa Namises has told traditional leaders not to put price tags on the suffering of people.

Namises said this on Thursday regarding the latest fines that have been introduced by eight traditional courts in the northern part of the country as penalties of different crimes, including rape, adultery and murder, among others.

She said the failure by traditional leaders to treat rape cases as serious matters has the potential to worsen the situation in the country.

“What is really the painfull part here is that there is no consent in the sexual acts that are happening with children, disabled people, young boys, as well as old women, so this is rape,” said Namises.

She said the number of rape cases reported in the country are alarmingly high and should be dealt with across all platforms, including the traditional setup and the criminal justice system.

“It is unfortunate that the traditional leaders are charging three heads of cattle or N$7 500 as a fine for those who commit rape,” Namises said.

Speaking on the same platform, Ondonga traditional authority spokesperson Frans Enkali defended the decision to fine rapists three heads of cattle or N$7 500.

“Traditional authorities do not even benefit from this money in any case.We use it to reconcile society and create fairness,” he said.

Enkali said the different fines imposed for different offences in the traditional courts are meant to deal with the issues at the local level, while the criminal justice system is also used to deal with the challenges.
@~Roxane please second paragraphs please dont take out the desert radio part so people know where this is coming from .