Defilement cases troubling in the Okavango
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday February 25, 2021 12:47
This is according to Okavango Sub District council chairperson Mpoke Karapo. Karapo was addressing council officials during an ordinary council session this week.
Defilement has proven to be a challenge to the majority of settlements in the Okavango Sub District.
Karapo said in his speech: “As a concern, 81 cases of teenage pregnancy were registered during the first quarter. Defilement is a serious concern in the sub-district.'
According to Karapo, the figures are a slight improvement compared to the 105 cases that were recorded in the previous quarter. The Okavango District records an average of 80 defilement cases each quarter.
“Out of the 81 cases Shakawe recorded the highest figure at 21 followed by Gumare at 20 and Seronga with eight cases,' Karapo said.
Settlements such as Xakao and Xaxa also often register a higher figure of defilement cases,” he said.
Karapo highlighted that of the 81 defiled girls one of them tested HIV positive. The frequency of rape and defilement cases in the country has become worrisome to various stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Karapo said that since late October last year to date, the sub-district has only recorded 14 cases of malaria. The cases involved 13 males and one female.
“All these cases were not complicated and no death was recorded. The first case was recorded on October 28, 2020, at Etsha 6 Clinic. When comparing cases of the three seasons more cases were recorded this season. However on a positive note; there were no malaria cases for under five years and expectant mothers,” he said.
The Okavango Sub District remains one of the areas in the country that represent a high malaria transmission rate. This is because of the constant rainfall and flooding that often affects the region.