The Councillor of Omuntele Constituency, Sacky Nangula, has condemned the chaining of a nine-year-old girl by her guardians due to alleged ill behaviour.

The incident sent shockwaves after a video started circulating on social media.

The incident took place at Otambo Yakawali village.

It is alleged that the victim was chained by her guardians after they noticed that the girl always stole from the neighbourhood and school.

In an attempt to discipline and keep the child at home, her guardians chained her, claiming they were too old to control her.

The couple further claimed that they decided to keep her in chains until she was taken to another relative in the Ohangwena Region.

The girl managed to sneak out of the house and go to cucashops, where she was spotted by community members who alerted the police.

The suspects, a 94-year-old headman and his live-in female partner, aged 56, appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court.

They were released on warning while the police investigation into the matter continues.

The victim is now in the care of social workers.

Councillor Nangula condemned the incident, describing it as child abuse that should never be repeated in his constituency.

A similar incident was reported at Onekaku village in the Oshigambo area after a 51-year-old man was accused of beating his niece with fists, kicking her all over her body, and later placing a chain around her neck.

The abuser, Joseph Shivute, was given a four-year prison sentence.