A British man has been detained by Namibian authorities on suspicion of sexually abusing over 30 San children at a cultural “living museum.”
Douglas Robert Brook, 65, faces multiple charges including rape, indecent assault, human trafficking, crimen injuria—an Namibian legal term for unlawfully and seriously impairing another’s dignity—and child exploitation.
Crimen injuria in Namibia refers to acts that unlawfully, intentionally, and seriously damage another person’s dignity.
Brook was taken into custody on Sunday after reportedly instructing San children at the Ju’/Hoansi living museum to undress for nude photographs and to be touched.
According to Mail Online, he appeared in Grootfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face 38 charges related to his interactions with the children. Prosecutor Kristiana Erastus outlined that he allegedly persuaded 33 minors to strip for photographs and allowed him to touch their private parts in exchange for sweets he brought along.
The charges are in accordance with the Child Care & Protection Act of 2015, the African Charter, and United Nations protocols. No plea was entered during the hearing, and Magistrate Abraham Abraham remanded him into custody until June 19.
” The tourist remains in police custody,” Namibia’s Information Minister Emma Theofelus told the BBC. His transfer to a higher-security prison has not yet been determined.
Namibian police inspector Maureen Mbeha reported that Brook allegedly touched the breasts and buttocks of 16 teenage girls, 14 teenage boys, and three minors overall.
He entered Namibia on May 15 for a holiday and traveled to the remote San camp, a six-hour drive from Windhoek, which he has visited annually. It’s his third consecutive year visiting the same camp where staff and the manager recognize him. He arrived on Saturday and was arrested the following day.
The Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism condemned the alleged conduct, calling it “deeply disrespectful” to the San community. A spokesperson emphasized that such behavior constitutes a serious violation of laws protecting minors and condemned tourist exploitation.
The San “living museum” is a collaborative German-Namibian project featuring seven reconstructed villages representing the San hunter-gatherer culture. Visitors can experience traditional activities such as archery, dancing, and overnight stays with San families.
Actors at the museum wear traditional attire made from animal skins, with some women remaining topless as per customary dress. However, teenage girls are reportedly fully covered with leather garments. The site encourages cultural preservation and responsible tourism, advising visitors against giving sweets to children due to lack of dental care, and instead suggesting donations or trade items.
The museum is operated by the Living Culture Foundation Namibia, founded in 2004 by German Dr. Ralf Kuhn, who continues as chairman. The foundation relies heavily on tourism revenue and donations to preserve San culture and history.
Located near the village of Grashoek, the San are among Southern Africa’s oldest surviving civilizations.
