Kavango West: The Namibian Police Force in the Kavango West Region has raised concern over escalating incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sakuwa-Neo highlighted alarming statistics, including a tragic case involving a one-month-old baby who was fatally injured. "In 2025, from January to date, we have had 20 rape cases, 18 arrests, and two attempted rape cases with one arrest. Crime against the youth, we had two, and two were arrested. Murder read with domestic violence, we had five, and then five were arrested. Attempted murder, we had six and three arrests," the commander said.

She further noted that 14 GBV cases were reported, resulting in 11 arrests. "Assault through threat, we had seven cases and arrested five of those suspects. Common assault, we had two and those two were arrested. So, the total number of cases for this year up to June is 60 in total."

The region recorded 55 crimes of the same nature over the same period last year. "We are accelerating. We are far ahead," said Sakuwa-Neo, pointing out that most victims are minors and the elderly, with the Bunya area emerging as a primary hotspot for criminal activities.

The commander also mentioned that alcohol abuse contributes to gender-based violence. Sakuwa-Neo emphasized that the report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for community intervention and support in addressing gender-based violence in the Kavango West Region.