Victoria Kaapanda
Namibian Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said a lack of parental care among children often results in them dropping out of school and ending up on the streets to participate in crimes.
“Each child deserves a father and a mother who together acknowledge their existence, and show love and care in equal abundance,” he reasoned. He said most men abandon the mothers of their children, leaving women to carry the burden alone.
‘’I think we should carry out campaigns on family planning. Produce only what you are able to feed. Men should be responsible,” he added. According to Ndeitunga, these are the reasons why children ended up getting involved in drugs and alcohol abuse.
“Men are messing up our culture. They must take this into consideration,’’ he stressed. Ndeitunga, who was speaking during the official handover of office to the newly-appointed regional commander of the Oshana region, also encouraged police officers to be firm but polite when enforcing law and order.
Police officers should, therefore, sensitise and educate the community about the law while executing their duties. “In their quest of enforcing the law, police officers should ensure their conduct is professional, and not intimidating. But they should also be educative, and apply the law as it’s intended to,” he urged.
The outgoing police chief said he had been receiving complaints from the public about the perceived heavy-handedness of police officers.
“The dignity of every person should be respected, and every person is innocent until proven guilty,’’ he stated. Even when a crime is committed, the dignity of every suspect should be respected, and he similarly called upon suspects to cooperate with the police. “But to arrest and beat up suspects is not allowed. Allow the law to take its course,” said Ndeitunga.
He further urged the public to report police harassment, adding that the police also have a responsibility to ensure that there is stability.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na