Prisoner Sodomised by Cellmate
14 May 2009
New Era
By: Helvy Tueumuna
ONDANGWA – A trial awaiting prisoner at Ondangwa Prison laid rape charges against another trial awaiting prisoner after he was allegedly sodomised in a cell recently.It is alleged that Lotti Sinjza (34) a Zambian national sodomised another trial awaiting prisoner on two different occasions.
The incidents took place on April 30 and May 1.
According to the Oshana Regional Commander, Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, Sinjza was detained earlier for being in the country illegally.“He was arrested under the Immigration Act and was waiting to be deported to his home country,” said Kashihakumwa.
He has, however, now committed another crime – rape and sodomy, which will keep him in prison for a longer period.Sinjza’s case is just one of thousands cases of sodomy and rape that are allegedly taking place inside the Namibian prisons. Although a few cases are reported, most of them go unreported.
Two years ago, distribution of condoms to inmates was one of the top topics of discussion in Parliament. Human rights activists, including the Legal Assistance Centre defended condoms distribution in prisons.
Kashihakumwa said it is difficult to control rape and sodomy that is taking place in prison cells.“These things take place late at night. And when we talk about trial awaiting prisoners, we are talking about different people. Whether there was a prisoner or no prisoner around when the rape was taking place, it is all the same. Another problem is the lack of space in the cells; normally we don’t keep illegal immigrants in the same cells with other criminals but because of the lack of space we are forced to. And for the prisoners who sodomise others – it is an opportunity,” he said.
Sinjza has appeared in Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape.
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