Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Police Force in the Oshana Region is being forced to release criminals due to a lack of space in the police holding cells.
Oshana police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, indicated that they recently had to release some of the undocumented individuals found in the region.
Sakaria revealed this during the commissioning of the Oshoopala satellite police station on Wednesday. He said that while they are actively removing criminals from the streets, it has become a challenge to ensure they are kept in custody.
“We arrested 16 people without documentation and took them to the police station, but the cells are full. I was told in the morning to return with their documents, and one has not returned until now,” he said.
Furthermore, Sakaria said that a total of 26 police officers are stationed at Oshoopala, with patrols having commenced to ensure the safety of the residents.
He stressed that patrols have been intensified in the region to combat crime.
The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police (NamPol), Lieutenant-General Joseph Shikongo, has also recently raised concerns about overcrowding in police cells across the country.
He revealed that many of the country’s police cells are experiencing severe overcrowding, such as the Wanaheda Police Cells, which have held over 200 inmates at once, and the Katima Mulilo Police Cells, which are designed for 80 but have held up to 300 inmates.
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