Africa-Press – Namibia. LACK of transport and broken-down vehicles hamper effective execution of police services in the Oshana Region, with members paying for vehicle maintenance monthly.
According to regional commander Commissioner Rauha Amwele, the current fleet of police vehicles are more than six years old which makes it difficult for law enforcement, as it needs urgent attention and occasionally breaks down.
This was stated on Wednesday during a briefing held at Oshakati. “We have not received any new fleet since 2015,” she said. Amwele noted that members are contributing money every month for car service and maintenance, but most of the cars are getting old.
She said there is also a shortage of manpower as most members are retiring, while some resign, are discharged or have passed away, with no replacements being made.
Amwele said the security situation in the region is “calm and normal but unpredictable” and they monitor it on a daily basis as some crimes are increasing.
In September, the region recorded 76 cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 62 thefts, 52 housebreaking of residential premises, 49 robberies and 35 thefts of motor vehicles.
However, in October thefts increased to 78, robbery to 66, housebreaking of residential premises to 64 and theft of cell phones to 68. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm decreased to 53.
In November, cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm increased to 68 and robbery to 74. Theft decreased to 74, and cases of housebreaking of residential and business premises to 50 and 29 respectively.
Amwele said Angolan street vendors also pose a challenge, because they at times refuse to wear masks and cross the border uncontrolled. “This makes it difficult to enforce the law on illegal immigrants as we cannot deport them,” she said. Amwele noted that despite people being aware of the Covid-19 regulations, implementation remains a challenge as most are not adhering to the rules.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
