Zambezi police deny request to withdraw GBV case - nbc

The police in the Zambezi Region have refused a request by a gender-based violence victim to withdraw a case against her husband.

The victim said her partner beat her two days ago; however, after the police assisted her in receiving medical attention and filing a charge against him, she asked the police to drop the case because he is the sole breadwinner for a family of four.

"Yesterday, the police officers released my partner on a warning to never beat me again. Surprisingly, today we were called back here, and now I am informed he has been arrested. I did not know that my coming here yesterday meant that I was opening a case against him that could lead to his arrest," the victim said.

She added that her intention was not for him to be locked up but rather, "I was just asking if the police could beat him or close that docket, and if he repeats beating me, then they can arrest him."

Katima Mulilo Police Station Commander Charles Mayumbelo said that the victim's request for the police to beat her partner cannot be granted.

"We will proceed with the case, with or without her. It's for the courts to advise us on the way forward because she could have been killed. Even now, while she is seated here, she can't walk properly. So we will proceed and seek advice from the justice system."

Mayumbelo added that gender-based violence cases within the region are on the rise.

"And I urge our mothers, even our fathers, if they are abused or in abusive relationships, to open cases; they should not hide or just seek advice from social workers."

A paralegal with the Legal Assistance Centre, Yolande Engelbrecht, emphasised the seriousness of violence cases and called on all Namibians to be proactive.

"We know the problems; we have identified them, held meetings, and developed national GBV plans. We have many instruments already in place, but I think the enforcement and implementation of these laws need to be strengthened. All service providers should be engaged in these discussions."

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