Okahandja: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has increased the reward for any information leading to the arrest of suspects in the recent murder cases in Okahandja to N.dollars 120,000. The announcement was made on Tuesday by NamPol's Otjozondjupa Regional Commander, Commissioner Filip Hidengwa, during a peaceful demonstration by residents of Okahandja.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Commissioner Hidengwa urged anyone with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the police or report it to the nearest station. Currently, no arrests have been made in the murder cases of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp; Roswinds Fabian, six; and the 15-year-old Beyonce !Kharuxas.

More than 5,000 residents participated in the peaceful demonstration in Okahandja, which began at the bridge along the new A1 Road in the Veddersdal area and concluded in the town center. The demonstrators handed over a petition and several statements condemning the brutal killings of Maasdorp, Fabian, and !Kharuxas.

The police report revealed that the girls were raped, mutilated, and their bodies disposed of at various locations around Okahandja. Community members, through their petition, urged NamPol to enhance police visibility and conduct unannounced roadblocks, especially near schools and recognized crime hotspots in Veddersdal, Nau-Aib, Five Rand, and Osona village.

The petition also called for youth engagement programs focusing on developing crime prevention initiatives. Additionally, the Okahandja residents demanded the immediate repair of malfunctioning streetlights to improve nighttime visibility and requested the installation of floodlights in areas frequently identified as crime scenes.

Nearly 9,700 individuals have signed the petition, which was presented to Commissioner Hidengwa and Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Sport, Youth, Arts and Culture Dino Ballotti, who was also present at the peaceful march.