Africa-Press – Namibia. PRISON officials will now be able to better handle riots in correctional facilities.
This was made possible after the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security received security equipment from China’s public security ministry on Thursday.
The equipment, which was handed over at Walvis Bay, includes 1 500 sets of knee caps, elbow caps, step resistance gloves, rubber batons, helmets, riot shields and 1 600 sets of protective vests.
Yang Jun, the Chinese embassy’s charge d’affairs, at the handing over ceremony said safety and securuity is important in the protection of life and property.
“Although the majority of Namibians consider the country as a safe place to live, levels of fear over crime are on the rise. The law-enforcement departments of the Namibian government have done a lot to improve the security environment, but they are suffering fiscal constraints.
“China as an all-weather friend of Namibia would like to give support in this area. I believe the delivery of this security equipment will help the law-enforcement capacity building of the Namibian government, particularly the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS),” he said.
According to the deputy minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Daniel Kashikola, the NCS recorded two riot incidents at the Hardap and Keetmanshoop correctional facilities in 2021 and 2022, respectively. He was therefore grateful to receive the equipment.
“This points to the need for the type of protective equipment we are receiving today. This would therefore greatly contribute to our capacity to be able to deal with dangerous situations we would otherwise not be able to deal with.
“It would appropriately arm our emergency response units and build their confidence and courage to deal with dangerous situations,” Kashikola said. The equipment, which is worth N$7 million, will be distributed to correctional facilities countrywide.
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