Major General Anne-Marie Nainda has urged the media to rely on verified police reports before publishing information on sensitive criminal investigations.

Speaking in connection with the Okahandja child murder investigations, Nainda expressed concern over an online newspaper report published before the police released an official statement.

She said the report disclosed information sensitive to the investigation.

The Police Chief described the publication of such details as a dangerous practice, saying it had created what she termed a new sense of fear in Okahandja.

“There was reportedly an article in one of the newspapers yesterday that even described where the suspect lives. In my view, this is a very dangerous game to play. If we had given the police an opportunity to release the official report first, we could have avoided such a situation. We are considering engaging the editor of that newspaper because some members of the Okahandja community are up in arms, questioning why the police would disclose where suspects and victims live. This report has created new security concerns that we are now having to address. That is also why I arrived here a little late. I am therefore appealing to the media to wait for verified, official reports before publishing information of this sensitive nature. Such reporting could also expose the parties involved to civil claims. I wish to distance myself from that report, as it was not issued by the police.”