Mother demands justice for brain-damaged son

By: Ketemba Tjipepa

A mother whose son is brain damaged after an assault in 2021 is demanding justice.

Joanie Daries’ 24-year-old son, Shalldou Daries, cannot walk or speak.

His friends, Eliaser Steenkamp and Llewellyn Olivier, accused of assaulting Shalldou, appeared in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

However, the court postponed the case again.

Daries said she is physically and emotionally drained from fighting for justice.

“It’s a lot for one person and these people are out there enjoying their life and Shalldo is using diapers. I have to make sure that I always have that because he cannot go to the toilet and he cannot help himself. It’s draining and it’s taking a lot from me as a person.There are times where I even ask him, he must just hold on just for me because I’m also just human.I’m tired,” said Daries.

Joannie struggles to care for Shalldou, who has no steady income, and his younger brother sometimes helps.

“He should be playing with friends, not cleaning his older brother,” says Daries.

Shalldou’s cousin, Morgan Daries, said he is frustrated that the accused are out on bail.”It’s also frustrating every time we come here and the matter is just being postponed and they are happy with it, because they can be free out there. Something needs to happen and the case needs to come to a conclusion.”

The magistrate postponed the case to April 30, 2025, because one accused needed legal representation.