Staff Reporter
KIDNAPPING is a serious offence, punishable by law.
It deprives a person of freedom of movement and the custodians of control.
Following the arrest of three people in connection with the kidnapping of a three-month-old baby boy, Deputy Commissioner Kaunapawa Shikwambi, Head of Nampol’s Public Relations Division, issued a warning to offenders as well as parents and guardians.
The accused are Albertina Jason (23), as well as siblings Lydia Kaunehafo Shimbilinga (21) and Joseph Natangwe Shatilwe (25).
According to Shikwambi, the 18-year-old mother of the baby was lured from Onhele-yiwa village in Ohangwena to Tsumeb after receiving an offer to work as a domestic worker.
“When she arrived in Tsumeb, an unidentified man and a known woman met her. They gave her N$400 to purchase food at a local retailer. She left her baby with one of the suspects and entered the shop. When she returned from the shop, the suspect and the baby were nowhere to be found.
“The mother tried to contact the woman on her phone, but it was switched off. The police were alerted and investigations were launched,” Shikwambi said.
Jason, an unemployed female from Onakasino Village in Oshikoto, was arrested Tuesday at Oshaandja village, 7 km from Oshakati West, in Oshana.
She was found with the three-month-old baby boy who was later identified by his mother. The baby was examined by a doctor and confirmed to be in good health. He was handed over to his mother.
Jason is expected to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court today, on charges of kidnapping.
Her alleged accomplices have already appeared in court and their case was postponed to 17 August for further investigations.
Shimbilinga is also from Onhele-yiwa village, and is reportedly a domestic worker in Ondangwa.
Her brother, Shatilwa, also from Onhele-yiwa village, is reported to be a security officer at Swakopmund.
Shikwambi said parents and guardians should be constantly alert.
“I would like to caution mothers as well as fathers to safeguard their babies and children at all times because nowadays children can be stolen for various reasons.”
She warned people against committing the crime and said anyone who falls victim should immediately report it to the police.
