Woman alleges police brutality led to miscarriage

Sostenus Wilherm

Rosalia Chantal Martin is suing the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security and the inspector general of the Namibian Police Force for N$5 million, alleging that three police officers beat, strangled and dragged her during an attempted arrest while she was between 17 and 22 weeks pregnant, resulting in the miscarriage of her unborn child.

The High Court heard the matter on Wednesday, with justice James Robertson Devittie postponing the case to 22 September 2026 for closing submissions. The court also ordered the parties to file their written submissions in accordance with the rules of court.

Martin’s allegations stem from an incident she says occurred at her home in Khomasdal, Windhoek, on 22 January 2023.

According to her particulars of claim, Martin became involved in a verbal altercation with her mother-in-law at about 19h00. Her mother-in-law allegedly contacted her daughter following the argument, who then called the police to the residence.