Omusati cells bursting at the seams

Despite mounting concerns about the state of police stations countrywide, the Omusati Region continues to house inmates in overcrowded cells in dire conditions. As it stands, the combined cell capacity in Outapi, Okahao, Ruacana, Tsandi, Onandjaba, Etayi, Oshifo and Oshikuku is 309, but a total of 609 inmates are currently accommodated at these towns, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala said.He shared these damning statistics during his state of the region address - for the 2022/23 financial year - last week.“Overcrowding in police holding cells worsens due to the growing trend in inmates’ pollution density. Criminal cases [being delayed] in court partly contributes to congestion of police holding cells,” he said. Endjala noted that only seven of 16 police stations in the region have detention centres.“Due to extensive repairs of holding cells, Outapi police station still lacks the capacity to house convicts,” he said. WorryingLast year, Endjala lamented the same issue when he announced that cells in the region – with a maximum capacity of 309 – housed 480 trial-waiting prisoners.He described the situation as worrying, adding that this is an indicating factor that there is a high crime rate in the region.According to him, another cause for concern are the prevalent crimes recorded at the Namibia-Angola border at Omuvelo Wakashamane border post, Okapalelona and Omahenene.Endjala said border-post crimes include the smuggling of fuel, cigarettes, whiskey as well as medicine.Statistics showed that a total of 112 rapes were recorded during the period under review, with the majority of victims being children. Other cases included theft (653), housebreaking and theft (513), assault with the intent to do gross bodily harm (477), common assault and assault by threat (447), domestic violence (257), stock theft (232), fraud (226), theft of cell phones (129) and robbery (111), the governor said.To reduce crime, police are increasing foot and vehicle patrols to upsurge visibility and improve crime detection, he added.

Omusati cells bursting at the seams

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Omusati cells bursting at the seams

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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