Zorena Jantze
RESIDENTS of Mariental are up in arms after the death of a nine-year-old girl who was run over on Sunday, 1 May, demanding that the suspect in the case be re-arrested as there was a conflict of interest on how the matter was handled.
This comes after it was revealed that the suspect, Johan Meyer, is the husband of Niita Meyer, the Hardap regional prosecutor.
Johan Meyer, aged 50, ran over Henderina Amupolo (9) after he caught the minor as well as her mother and other people picking beans from his farm field located on plot K11, Hardap Green Scheme, Mariental.
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua 
DISTRAUGHT: Some scenes from the march in Mariental. Photos: Abel Kaifanua
Anne-Marie !Aochamus, the mother of the deceased, gave an emotional speech at the handing over of the petition at the Mariental Magistrate’s Office.
“You cried and ran towards me. This struggle of joblessness caused this mess, my child,”! Aochamus read as the crowd chanted for justice.
The mother further narrated that she decided to take her kids to go collect beans as she saw a lot of people collecting these beans as well and thought it would be okay.
“We did not stay long in the field. I saw the white man coming, but I did not run as I thought it was okay to pick the beans. He chased my sister’s little boy first with his car but she begged him to stop, and told him that we would evacuate his field. He sped away towards where my child was standing. I asked her to run towards mommy, she ran towards me but she never reached me as his car was too fast,” !Aochamus said whilst holding back tears.
One of the organizers of the march, Abel Kaifanua, stated that he found it very odd that Meyer was never arrested in the incident but merely summoned to the police station and informed that he was being charged with culpable homicide and thereafter granted bail in the amount of N$3 000.
He further stated that the suspect is the husband of the regional prosecutor general Niita Meyer and alleged that as such he received special treatment in the matter. He further requested the investigating officer in the matter, the magistrate as well as the prosecutor to recuse themselves from the case and that the suspect be re-arrested.
