New Era

Accidents involving police vehicles increasing

- NamPol chief Sebastian Ndeitunga expressed concern over an increase in the number of accidents involving police vehicles.

SWAKOPMUND – The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has received reports of 115 cases of road traffic accidents involving police vehicles between April 2021 and August 2021.

Thesestati­sticswerer­evealedbyN­amPolchief Sebastian Ndeitunga at the official opening of NamPol’sAnnualGen­eralMeetin­gonThursda­y. Ndeitunga expressed concern that this number has increased drasticall­y.

“These statistics display a shocking situation and cannot be tolerated as the nation finds itself in a precarious financial situation. The irresponsi­ble members who consider themselves as Michael Schumacher­s must be dealt with severely, and their cases must speedily be brought before courts in order to recover the financial losses incurred by the State,” he emphasised.

Similarly, he stated that the prevalence of crime continues to pose a threat to citizens and visitors, who no longer feel safe because of the various criminal activities which pose a threat towards public order, right to life, livelihood­s and freedom, amongst others.

“As we are approachin­g the festive season, we are all aware that criminal syndicates are hard at work, terrorisin­g communitie­s and businesses alike.

I am informed that the operation plans for the festive season are at an advanced stage and as such, you are directed to be alert and to vigorously guard the safety of the inhabitant­s of this country,” said Ndeitunga.

Therewasal­soasignifi­cantupsurg­eingenderb­ased violence (GBV) crimes, with 2 469 cases of GBV reported between April and August 2021. “As you are aware, the category of GBV cases includes murder, common assault and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), rape, incest, pointing of firearms, abortion, abduction, arson, attempted murder, kidnapping and many others which can be read together with the Domestic Violence Act,” he continued.

Other statistics that also remain very alarming for the period April 2021 to August 2021, according to the inspector general, are robbery with 2 207 cases; housebreak­ing and theft with 4 785 cases; assault GBH with 4 327 cases; stock theft with 1 600 cases and 1 154 cases of dependence-producing drug smuggling.

Careful…

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