Africa-Press – Namibia. THE minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, says he is not ready to explain what happened to firearms which have been stolen from police depots.
Close to 180 weapons were stolen from the police’s logistics division between January 2009 and December 2021.
“The nation is reading that there were firearms missing, particularly pistols. They are wondering why am I quiet as the political head. Why am I burying my head in the sand like an ostrich, not informing or alerting the nation? The reason is that the investigation is ongoing,” he said on Saturday at the International Small Arms Destruction Day at Walvis Bay.
Kawana said he would pronounce himself on the matter at an appropriate time.
“We are making progress, but the nation will be informed. I don’t want to jeopardise this investigation, which has extended beyond our borders. Please bear with me. I am not hiding anything, Namibia is a democracy committed to transparency and good governance,” he said.
Some of the stolen police weapons have allegedly found their way to Angola and South Africa.
Earlier this year the police have expressed concern that the stolen weapons could be used to conduct criminal activities.
Kawana said the illicit firearms and ammunition continue to be used as weapons of choice for criminals committing crimes such as murder, gender-based violence, and armed robberies.
According to him, the challenge to fight illicit firearms is not limited to Namibia, and cuts across the southern African region.
He said while member states continue to develop and promote small arms control instruments, this has been a daunting task as many are faced with various challenges such as limited capacity, particularly in the area of technical personnel.
“Capacity-building efforts and programmes continue to improve with the support of critical stakeholders such as Interpol,” he said.
To show its commitment to the fight against illicit firearms, the police on Saturday destroyed 5 532 firearms and close to 210 000 rounds of ammunition at the Namibian Defence Force shooting range near Walvis Bay.
These were confiscated from people who participated in crimes, such as armed robberies over the years.
Some of the firearms, ammunition and other related materials were surrendered to the police during the amnesty month, which was declared last year.
“Your support and willingness to participate in the amnesty to surrender firearms, ammunition and related materials bear testimony to your support for the peace, stability and harmony of our nation,” Kawana told the members of the public who voluntarily surrendered their firearms.
Police chief inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga, in a speech read on his behalf, confirmed that the police recorded a total of 100 murders and 410 attempted murder cases involving firearms during the last three financial years.
During the same period, the police also recorded 110 086 robberies and 806 cases of pointing a firearm.
“These statistics may not be entirely attributed to criminally minded people’s actions, as some may be as a result of some responsible and law-abiding citizens who may have been negligent at times, including law enforcers,” Ndeitunga said.
He also called on licensed firearm owners to refrain from carrying firearms in public places to avoid posing a danger to others.
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