By: AnnakletaHaikera
Two men identified as VaatakanaTjindunda (45) and TjipiranduTjindunda (63), originally from Kunene, were arrested on Tuesday at Nepara in Kavango West on charges of trafficking and contravention of the Labour Act.
The two suspects are believed to have employed two children under 15 years and exposed them to an inhuman environment.
The two men brought the two children from the Kunene region with intentions of taking them to Omusati.
They instead took them to Nepara village in the Kavango West region, where the children were tasked to look after the suspects’ livestock.
The children were not given any safe shelter where they could stay.
The police have since removed the children and placed them at a safe home in Kavango West.
The two men appeared in the Kahenge Magistrate’s Court on two counts each and were denied bail.
The public prosecutor said the two should not get bail because of the seriousness of the matter and that it would not be in the interest of justice.
The case was postponed to 13 June 2022 for further investigations and plea.
The suspects were advised to launch a bail application should they wish to be released.
The police are warning all residents in the Kavango West region to cease employing under-aged children as prescribed by the Labour Act and called on residents to report such incidents without delay.
Detective Inspector Raimbert Muronga, the spokesperson of the Namibian Police in the Kavango West, told The Villager that the two teenagers who were found with the two men were safe.
“We will try our best to relocate them back home to their parents. The two culprits will remain behind bars until their next appeal. I am asking for all Namibian citizens; should you know of someone who is keeping small children for labour purposes, please report them to the nearest Police Station.”
“I am warning all members of the public who are trying to engage themselves in activities such as human trafficking and employing underage children that you will be dealt with accordingly if caught.”
The Kavango West region is known for its fertile land and vastness for grazing, and therefore, it is suspected that more incidents of this nature exist. The police called on citizens to report such incidents to the nearest police station, hospital or traditional leaders for police attention.
