Tsumeb
At least 1 644 perpetrators out of 2 283 criminal cases recorded in 2015 in the Oshikoto Region remain unpunished as their cases are still under investigation, and 659 cases resulted in either acquittals or convictions while others received suspended sentences.
Common assault and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm topped the list with 772 cases reported to the police, of which 287 cases were resolved while 485 are still under investigation.
Whereas 86 rape cases were reported of which 57 were resolved, 29 are still under investigation, while eight out of the 17 murder cases reported have been concluded with nine of the murder cases still under investigation.
“This is a clear testimony that there is no peace in our homes as people tend to solve their differences in a violent manner other than using polite and peaceful solutions to resolve their problems,” said Oshikoto Regional Police Commissioner Anne-Marrie Nainda in a statement that was read on her behalf by the deputy regional commander Deputy Commissioner Petrus Shingwedha.
Shingwedha was speaking at a consultative meeting on Operation Omake.
“What is critical now and urgently required is the building up of a strong partnership between us as law enforcement and other sectors of our communities. This partnership will be symbolic in the sense that the community will be able to help the police identify the notorious criminals and those involved in domestic violence so that the police can free the community of these cowardly behaviours,” stressed Shingwedha.
Shingwedha attributed these barbaric actions to the use of drugs and alcohol.
The meeting is being attended by eight regional commanders from Zambezi, Kavango West and East, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Kunene regions.
The consultative meeting will assess the progress made so far as well as address challenges and stumbling blocks encountered in the implementation of Operation Omake since its official launch by President Hage Geingob late last year.
Operation Omake was launched at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region by the Regional Governor Henock Kankoshi on Monday.
“It is the responsibilities of all the stakeholders to make sure that these individuals are identified and brought to book to face the law, as well as to ponder the Liquor Act, Act 6 of 1998 which brings unlicensed shebeens under the law in order to curtail the current situation of an illegal sector operating alongside a legal sector, as well as address the problem of alcoholism,” added Shingwedha.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Inspector General for Operations of the Namibian Police, Major-General James Tjivikua, who described the operation as having attained a positive milestone in combating crime across the entire country.