Rinelda Mouton
Relatives of the late 11 year old, Gerhardt Doëseb whose lifeless body was discovered in a riverbed near the Oanob Bridge in Rehoboth over the weekend, described him as a boy who believed in forgiveness.
The Grade 5 learner of Acacia Primary School’s body was discovered by girls who were herding goats near the Oanob Bridge.
According to the police report, the boy had failed to return home from school on 11 September and was reported missing the following day.
The accused Dickson Karomuine, stepfather of the deceased, has been arrested by the Namibian police.
“Whenever Gerhardt was wrong he would always say I’m sorry, please forgive me, I won’t do it again. He would also quickly forgive others. He was a respectful boy and sometimes liked joking around,” his niece, Delmien lambert, said.
Lambert further described Gerhardt as a straight forward young boy who would always speak his mind. “Gerhardt won’t shy away, he would say what is on his mind,” she added.
She also said Gerhardt enjoyed playing soccer and participating in athletics at school, adding that he played soccer for the Acacia Primary School, and was an athlete who ran 100 and 200 meters and long distance races.
Lambert hopes the death penalty will be brought back to those found guilty of murder.
“We have lost our baby and he is never ever coming back, so why must his murderer still be alive? Our hearts are in pain. May God give our family strength because this is a great pain for us,” she said.
Gerhardt’s grandmother, Susanna Brokenhoff said the last time she saw Gerhardt was the Friday morning when he went to school.
“The last time when he spoke to me he told me to please put the cellphone on charge, so when he comes home from school the battery is full,” Brokenhoff recalls.
Brokenhoff further said she learned from Gerhardt to always ask for forgiveness. “He was boy who did not believe in being angry. He was a forgiving person,” she added.
Charity Naruses, a teacher at Acacia Primary School said a young life was taken from the community of Rehoboth.
“Gerhardt was not only a learner at our school, he was family. His passing has touched the hearts of everyone. This is a painful loss. Gerhardt will forever remain in our hearts,” Naruses said.
