New Era

Erongo police intensify patrols to curb crime

- Eveline de Klerk

WALVIS BAY - The police at Walvis Bay have intensifie­d patrols, especially in the Tutaleni area, as fear grips women living

alone after a spate of rape incidents were reported at the town.

C ommu n i t y affairs commander, Inspector Ileni Shapumba said at least three cases of rape have been filed by women

at the town.

Onewomanwh­owasreport­edly also raped declined to lay a charge.

The latest case of rape was reported in Tutaleni on Saturday morning whereby a 28-year-old woman was raped at gunpoint by an unknown man who was dressed like a fish factory worker.

A concerned Shapumba yesterday during an interview said that the alleged rapist has instilled fear among women, especially those that are living alone at the town.

“We are not taking this lightly as infringing and violating women is a serious matter that should be delt with. Hence, we have intensifie­d our crime prevention initiative­s, especially in Tutaleni as well as areas frequently used by women coming and going to work,” he said.

Shapumba added the police will now ensure the persons responsibl­e for defiling women are arrested, while guaranteei­ng the safety of residents.

“We have been going from home to home and we can see that our women are living in fear, but it should not be the case,” he said.

He added that there has been some informatio­n coming from the public that have been followed up. However, he said, the current Covid-19 regulation­s that requires one to wear a mask in public makes it a bit harder to obtain a clearer descriptio­n of the suspect (s).

He also said earlier this week, the police were called to a house where a suspicious looking man was wandering around.

The man fled after noticing the police.

 ??  ?? Worried… Inspector Ileni Shapumba.
Worried… Inspector Ileni Shapumba.

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