The police in the Ohangwena region have warned parents and guardians not to leave children alone with cattle herders, following reports of rape.
The warning was issued after a domestic worker (22) was arrested in connection with the rape of a girl (2) at Ohamwiimbi village over the weekend.
The toddler’s aunt allegedly left her alone with the worker.
The police say there have been several reports of people from some neighbouring countries employed as domestic help allegedly committing crimes such as rape and afterwards fleeing back to their countries to avoid arrest.
The region’s acting regional commander, Bennett Muyambango, says: “It is a real concern to know that cases of rape are reported every day, and we carry out community awareness exercises on crime, but people still don’t take the necessary care to protect their children.”
Muyambango says many families in the northern regions employ herders from neighbouring countries as cattle herders and domestic workers, trusting them with children.
“We have findings that most of the rape crimes committed are by the very people they have employed, and we don’t arrest them as they flee to Angola, only to return and get employed elsewhere,” he says.
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