Grootfontein: The British tourist who was arrested in May this year for allegedly instructing San children at the Grashoek Living Museum in Tsumkwe West to undress and photographing them, wants to be released on bail. Douglas Robert Brooks, 65, was accompanied by his lawyer, Thomas Andima, when he appeared before Grootfontein Magistrate Boniface Konga on Thursday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Brooks was arrested on 18 May and first appeared in the same court on 20 May 2025, where he was denied bail on several grounds. Prosecutor Kristiana Erastus, representing the State, strongly objected to the granting of bail, citing concerns that Brooks has no relatives in Namibia or Africa and might abscond as he is aware of the serious charges he faces. Erastus also expressed concerns that Brooks might interfere with ongoing investigations and State witnesses due to his previous visits to the museum in 2023, 2024, and May this year.
Brooks faces 38 charges, including rape, child labour, exploitation, indecent assault, crimen injuria, and trafficking in persons, Erastus informed the court. Andima, Brooks' lawyer, countered the accusations, arguing that the San children were already naked when Brooks encountered them at the museum and allegedly requested him to photograph them in exchange for money ranging from N.dollars 50 to N.dollars 100. He further explained that being naked or partially dressed in public is part of the San tradition in Tsumkwe, and Brooks, as an innocent tourist, took photographs for artistic purposes.
Andima proposed that Brooks, a pensioner with health issues, be granted bail with certain conditions, such as providing a hotel address in Namibia where he will stay and reporting to the nearest police station on a daily or weekly basis. The court proceedings are set to continue on Friday as arguments between the State and Andima regarding Brooks' bail application persist.
During Thursday's court session, it was revealed that Brooks entered Namibia as a tourist on 15 May 2025 and was on his way to the Zambezi Region.