WINDHOEK – At least five lives have been lost in the infamous Eveline Street in Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo residential area in the past two years.
Eveline Street is widely known for its bars and shebeens, besides other businesses, but is also known for its violence. Eveline Street is popular because of the variety of hangout spots, and many young people frequent the street to meet with friends especially over weekends when booze flows freely.
But according to a top policeman in Khomas Region the notion that Eveline Street is extremely violent and dangerous is nothing but a misconception that has the potential to tarnish the image of businesses operating in the area in general. Police Commander for Khomas Region Commissioner Festus Shilongo says violent crime is a serious concern not only to the public but to the law enforcement agencies as well. He however told New Era that contrary to public belief that many violent crimes such as murder take place mainly in Eveline Street, only a few such fatal incidents have taken place there.
According to statistics of the Namibian Police Force, from September 2011 to September 2012 two males were killed at different shebeens in Eveline Street. The figure however increased to three during the same period from last year to this year with one woman included in the statistics. Four of the deceased were gunned down while the fifth succumbed to a stabbing with a knife. “The situation is not as bad as construed by some, however it is sad that five lives were lost unnaturally during the indicated period,” Shilongo said.
According to the police commissioner, more violent crimes take place in areas such as Havana, Babylon, Okahandja Park, Goreangab, Sevende Laan, Agste Laan and Negende Laan on the outskirts of Otjomuise. Commissioner Shilongo confirmed to New Era that at the moment Otjomuise and its informal settlements are the most dangerous areas of Windhoek and according to statistics recorded during the same period over the past two years, six lives were lost at shebeens in those areas due to violence..
Otjomuise is the area where New Era journalist Paulus Paulus was attacked by unknown assailants. He died in hospital from his injuries and so far no suspect(s) has been arrested in connection with his death.
The general complaints from residents who live in Eveline Street, Shilongo said, are noise pollution and littering, which greatly affects school children because they draw the attention of school children away from their studies. Crimes committed in the street are generally assault with intent to grievous bodily harm, car break-ins, snatching of cellphones, robbery, malicious damage to property, general theft and driving while under the influence of alcohol. These crimes mostly take place between t18h00 and midnight.
But Shilongo says his forces are not taking such crimes lightly and plans are underway to strengthen security measures in Greenwell Matongo to make sure that law and order prevail totally. Currently eight CCTV cameras have been installed at various spots in Eveline Street and are being monitored on a 24-hour basis.
“This will help us to respond rapidly to incidents of crime and also enable us to get evidence of those who were involved. But we have seen some people trying to throw objects at the cameras, perhaps in an attempt to destroy them (the cameras) but I just want to warn that the police will deal with such elements,” Shilongo said.
Plans are also under way to build another police station at Greenwell Matongo but currently a special police team is dedicated to patrolling Eveline Street and surrounding areas.
Commissioner Shilongo also revealed that the construction of a police station at Otjomuise is nearing completion and will be opened soon.
The majority of shebeens in Eveline Street have licenses to open until four o’clock in the morning. There have been calls from some concerned citizens including parliamentarians to regulate opening hours in Eveline Street, but Commissioner Shilongo said the police have the responsibility of maintaining law and order and it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the City of Windhoek to look into the issue of opening hours for watering holes in the city.
By Tonateni Shidhudhu