Oshana police, residents tackle crime hotspots

Oshana Region police have initiated a campaign aimed at clearing overgrown areas around Okandjengedi South and the bridge to ensure the safety of residents by creating clear pathways and to reduce the available spots for sex workers at night.Joined by local residents who said they are fed up with criminals, the area is also well-known for sex work.An abandoned building showed clear evidence of sex work, with condoms littering the area. Regional police spokesperson Inspector Thomas Aiyambo said they had to track down the owner of the building to close it off as the sex workers were using it for business."From the litter of the used condoms around here, it is evident that they also used the bushes, which are cut down, to conduct their business before returning to the robots for the next customer. Now they will have nowhere to hide," Aiyambo said.Tackling crimeThe clean-up campaign is also aimed at addressing crimes of rape, assault and gender-based violence (GBV), which are frequently reported in the area.A total of 260 cases of rape and GBV were reported to police in the area from January to May.Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango said the Okandjengendi neighbourhood has been transformed into a hub for criminal activity, and the debushing exercise will hopefully help address the problem. "We want to make a difference in ensuring that crime is averted in the neighbourhood," Hango said.Oshana deputy commissioner Ottile Kashuupulwa said the police will keep working hard to reduce crime in the region."People who cross the area at night now face great dangers, especially women and children. You simply cannot leave your house after a certain hour because you know that you will not return with your belongings," Kashuupulwa said. Safe for us all Esnath Hainana, a resident of Okandjengedi South, said her reason for assisting the clean-up campaign is not only to keep the area spotless but mostly to keep the streets safe."We have children going to school, and we also move around. But the areas were really not safe, and one cannot scream for help and get assistance fast because people cannot see you," Hainana said.

Oshana police, residents tackle crime hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Oshana police, residents tackle crime hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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