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Stalled justice frustrates family in Ingrid Maasdorp murder case

The family of Ingrid Maasdorp (5), who was raped and murdered at Okahanjda in March, say they are losing faith in the Namibian Police, with the perpetrator still at large.

According to Maasdrop’s grandmother, Dolly Maasdrop (54), who raised the deceased since birth, Ingrid was allegedly dropped off at KW von Marees Combined School at Okahandja on the morning of 20 March but never returned home.

Maasdrop told The Namibian that two days later, her granddaughter’s body was discovered in a riverbed under a bridge, battered and bearing signs of sexual assault.

That morning, Ingrid’s grandfather had dropped her and her cousins at school. Due to rain and car troubles, an older cousin escorted her to class.

But by afternoon, Ingrid was missing. Panic set in when the family arrived to find no teachers or security on the premises.

“We searched everywhere. When we couldn’t find her, we rushed to the police to report her missing,” Maasdorp said.

‘EYEWITNESS IGNORED’

The family’s grievance turned to frustration after a fellow pupil came forward with a crucial tip, which they say the police dismissed.

“One of her classmates said he saw Ingrid being picked up that morning by a tall, light-skinned woman wearing a bonnet. He said he had seen her before and she usually fetched her own child at the same school,” said Dolly.

She added that the child described the bonnet as similar to one his mother wears at home. He gave the same description to teachers and the police, first on the evening Ingrid went missing and again the following morning.

“But the police said the boy was too young to give reliable information. That doesn’t make sense. How can a small child give such a clear and consistent description twice if it wasn’t true?” she asked.

Maasdorp added that some family members and teachers visited a woman in the area matching the description. What they found unsettled them.

“She was startled when she saw us. She quickly grabbed her phone and started texting.

She brought her son outside and showed him a photo of Ingrid before we even said anything. He immediately said, ‘I’ve never seen her,’ which was strange,” Dolly said.

The family also noticed a bonnet hanging on her washing line that matched the one the boy described.

“She refused to let us in. Everything about her behaviour was suspicious,” Maasdrop stressed.

Weeks have passed, yet no arrests have been made. The family believes the police are dragging their feet.

“It feels like they’re waiting for us to forget. But how do you forget something like this? She was only five years old,” she said.

The family say they are haunted not only by the gruesome manner in which Ingrid died but also by the thought that her killer may still be walking free.

“We want justice. Ingrid was a happy child, always singing, always playing. She didn’t deserve this,” she added.

Namibian Police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed that the case is under investigation.

“In this regard, the initial report shared was a missing persons report until the body was discovered … An investigation into this matter was launched since and is ongoing.

Cases of rape, murder and defeating the course of justice are being investigated and suspects are being pursued.

“If there is any update or progress in the investigations, we will update,” Shikwambi said yesterday.

‘WE WANT JUSTICE’
A concerned Namibian based in Finland, Kashivi Kashingungu, has launched a petition titled ‘Justice for Ingrid Maasdorp’, which had garnered over 1 600 signatures by 13 April.

“I first came to know about the story on 22 March from a national broadcaster’s Facebook page. At that point, no foul play had been suspected.

Two days ago, I read from a newspaper that autopsy results revealed Ingrid had been raped, murdered and dumped,” she says.

She says that the decision to launch the petition was inspired by recent events in South Africa.

“A few weeks ago, South Africans rose to demand justice for Cwecwe. “We Namibians also rallied online in solidarity.

I thought it would be hypocritical not to do the same for our own Ingrid. This hit close to home for me and I had to act,” she says.

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