British Tourist Arrested in Namibia Over Sexual Abuse of Children

A 65-year-old British tourist, Douglas Robert Brook, has been arrested and remanded in custody in Namibia following grave allegations of sexually exploiting minors from the indigenous San community at the Grashoek Living Museum in the Otjozondjupa region.

Brook appeared before Magistrate Abraham Abraham at the Grootfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing 38 serious charges, including rape, indecent assault, child labour, child exploitation, human trafficking, and violations of the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015, as well as breaches of international protocols, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and UN Conventions on Child Protection.

Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation

According to Namibian Police Inspector Maureen Mbeha, the accused is alleged to have enticed 34 San children—including 16 teenage girls, 14 teenage boys, and three minors—to undress in exchange for sweets and money, while photographing and allegedly touching them inappropriately. Police reportedly found nude photographs of the children on the suspect’s camera, which was confiscated at Maroelaboom police station.

Brook, who entered Namibia on 15 May 2025, had been visiting the Grashoek museum, reportedly for the third consecutive year. The location, part of the Living Culture Foundation Namibia (LCFN) initiative, is designed to preserve and share the heritage of one of Africa’s oldest indigenous peoples—the San. He was arrested on Sunday, a day after his arrival at the cultural site.

The case has been postponed to 19–20 June 2025 to allow for further investigations.

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Government and Public Condemnation

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism strongly condemned the incident, describing the acts as “deeply disrespectful” and a serious violation of human dignity and national laws.

“It is unacceptable for any visitor, foreign or local, to exploit or objectify indigenous communities or their children for any purpose, including photography,” said ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela.

Referencing Article 8 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees respect for human dignity, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ethical tourism and called on all tour operators, guides, and visitors to act responsibly when engaging with local communities.

“Tourism in Namibia must promote cultural understanding, mutual respect, and socio-economic development—not exploitation,” Hamunyela added.

The ministry urged all Namibians and visitors to report inhumane acts and commended the Namibian Police for their swift intervention.

A Nation’s Cultural Heritage Exploited

The Living Museum of the Ju’/Hoansi-San, located near the village of Grashoek, was founded in 2004 as a collaborative effort between the San community and German anthropologists under the Living Culture Foundation Namibia. It is one of seven ‘living museums’ aimed at preserving and sharing traditional knowledge and livelihoods, including hunter-gatherer skills, storytelling, and craftwork.

Visitors are guided to engage respectfully and not to give sweets directly to children, a rule that authorities say was violated by the accused. Museum staff confirmed that while traditional dress is showcased, teenage girls are required to be fully covered in accordance with both cultural customs and modern ethical standards.

Broader Implications and a Call for Justice

This case highlights not only an egregious alleged abuse of vulnerable children but also raises questions about the responsibility of tourism operators, the protection of indigenous communities, and the global fight against child exploitation.

Namibia’s Information Minister, Emma Theofelus, confirmed to international media that the suspect remains in police custody and faces the full extent of the law.

As Namibia positions itself as a responsible tourism destination, the government’s strong stance sends a clear message: exploitative behaviour will not be tolerated, and the rights of indigenous peoples—especially children—will be upheld and defended.