Maria David and Placido Hilukilwa
A TEENAGER who instructed a friend to capture him on camera physically abusing a five-year-old girl has been arrested by the Omusati police after the shocking video was uploaded and shared on social media platforms.
Police investigations into the matter discovered that the incident occurred at the Oshaala village in the Onesi constituency, Omusati Region, at around 17:00 on Tuesday, 6 April.
In the video footage, the 17-year-old suspect is seen repeatedly beating the young victim with open hands over the head before she falls to the ground crying.
The young girl, who is a pre-scholar, was holding two empty plates, clearly showing that she was hungry and was looking for food at the traditional kitchen.
The person recording the abuse, as well as the abuser, can both be heard and seen laughing at the incident.
Police regional commander, Commissioner Titus Shikongo, said that after obtaining the video footage the police launched an investigation and identified the village where the incident took place.
The suspect was immediately arrested and is currently being detained at the Tsandi police station’s holding cells.
“The suspect instructed a friend to take a video clip of him beating the little girl and to circulate it on social media,” said Shikongo.
It is said that the elders were not home when the incident happened.
Available information suggests that the suspect and the victim reside in the same house but have no blood relation.
The suspect is a grandson to the owner of the house, while victim is being raised by the house owner, who took on the role as guardian.
Traditionally, children from poor families are placed under the care of family friends or acquaintances, who feed and help raise them despite there being no blood relation.
The suspect, who is a grade eight learner at the Oshaala Combined School, has been charged with the contravention of Child Care and Protection Act, Act 3/2015; as well as assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm read with the Domestic Violence Act, Act 4 of 2003.
He is expected to appear before the Outapi Magistrate’s court this week.
