Keypoints:
- British man accused of abusing San children
- Faces 38 charges including rape and exploitation
- Namibia vows justice and cultural protection
NAMIBIAN authorities have arrested a British national on suspicion of sexually abusing minors from the San indigenous community and taking nude photographs of them while travelling in the country. The man, identified as 65-year-old Douglas Robert Brook, faces 38 charges including rape, indecent assault, and child exploitation.
According to local police and media reports cited by the BBC, Brook allegedly lured 34 children with sweets and money before photographing them in the nude. He is also accused of inappropriately touching the children, both boys and girls, while on a holiday in the Otjozondjupa region in central Namibia.
Police say 30 minors were abused
Maureen Mbeha, a regional police commissioner, told state-run media that 16 girls and 14 boys were reportedly abused by the British tourist. Some of the nude images were found on a camera that was confiscated during the arrest, adding to the mounting evidence against him.
Brook appeared before the Grootfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Bail was denied and the case has been postponed to next month as the state prosecutor requested additional time to complete investigations, the Namibia Press Agency reported.
‘The tourist remains in police custody,’ Namibia’s Information Minister Emma Theofelus told the BBC. The British embassy in Namibia said it had ‘no information beyond what has been reported in the media’.
Namibia condemns cultural exploitation
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from both government officials and civil society, with particular outrage over the targeting of children from the San community, one of Namibia’s most vulnerable and historically marginalised groups.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism described the accused’s actions as ‘deeply disrespectful to the cultural heritage of the San community’. The ministry said: ‘It is unacceptable for any visitor, foreign or local, to exploit or objectify indigenous communities or their children for any purpose, including photography.’ The statement was cited by the Informanté newspaper.
Namibia, a popular destination for tourists drawn by its stunning desert landscapes and rich cultural traditions, has previously raised concerns about unethical behaviour by visitors, including incidents of nude photography in sacred or protected areas.
San leaders and activists demand accountability
San community leaders have called for justice and reinforced protections for their children in the wake of the incident. ‘Our children are not tourist attractions,’ said one elder in Otjozondjupa. ‘We welcome respectful cultural exchange, not exploitation.’
Human rights groups echoed these calls. Save the Children Namibia issued a statement condemning the abuse and urging swift legal action: ‘This is not only a violation of national law but a grave breach of human rights and cultural dignity.’
Legal experts in the country say that, if convicted, Brook could face severe penalties under Namibia’s child protection laws, which carry lengthy prison terms for offences involving sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.
The accused has not yet entered a plea and remains in custody until his next court appearance.
