Windhoek – A heartbroken mother, Eunice Shilamba (31), has called on the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare to help her reunite with her young son, alleging that her in-laws and the child’s father have unlawfully kept him from her for over a year.

According to Otji FM, Shilamba recounted that her ordeal began in April 2023 when she was hospitalized due to severe stress. She attributed this stress to the father of her children abandoning her and their two kids, leaving them without financial support or basic necessities.

“In desperation, I agreed for the father and my mother-in-law to temporarily care for my daughter while I recovered. However, things took a turn for the worse when I was falsely accused of threatening to harm my child,” Shilamba said.

Since then, she claims, her in-laws have blocked all communication with her son and refused any reconciliation attempts. Efforts to get assistance from a social worker at the Ministry of Gender have reportedly yielded no results.

Allegations of Abuse and Harassment

Shilamba also accused her child’s father and his family of ongoing harassment. She revealed that she was physically attacked just days after giving birth to another child.

“He accused me and my mother of sending people to harm him. We live in constant fear. We can’t even walk freely,” she lamented.

Shilamba further alleged mistreatment by law enforcement during the case process. “I remember being slapped by a police officer working with the father of my children. I wasn’t even allowed to ask questions; they brutalized me. I’m still recovering,” she shared.

Ministry and Social Worker Unreachable

According to Shilamba, attempts to contact the social worker assigned to her case have been futile. “I’ve called a social worker at Grysblok named Ester several times, but my calls have gone unanswered,” she said.