Stefanus Nashama
Crime in the Goreangab and Havana informal settlements of Windhoek has recently increased on weekends, with residents estimating that more than ten people fall victim to robberies during these times.
Numerous incidents have involved forcing people to give up their phones, laptops, money, and other belongings or even getting stabbed with knives in the process.
The situation has left the residents fearing for their lives and properties.
Magdalena Andreas, of Havana, insisted that increasing police patrols is urgently needed to avoid further violence and theft.
“You hardly see the police attending to such incidents on time. More police officers should be deployed into those communities to ensure that crimes are prevented,” she said.
Andreas claimed the police only patrol the area on paydays.
“On the 20th, 25th and 30th of each month, you would see the police cars moving around the community, while the rest of the days, they are hardly seen on the ground,” she explained.
Residents claim that young boys commit the majority of crimes, attacking anyone at any time of day.
Alfeus Taapopi, a resident from Goreangab, said, that despite timely reporting of crimes, the police occasionally fail to arrive at the scene in time.
“The police can tell you there is no car available. By the time they would come to the scene, criminals are already gone,” he said.
He added that people, especially women, are more targeted.
“Those boys can attack you even during the day and no one can help you,” he said.
Taapopi further said sometimes the residents fear approaching people who commit crimes because they are often armed with knives and pangas.
He suggested that residents should collectively catch thieves and criminals, and take them to the police if possible.
“Now if the police are not available, what should the residents do to help each other?” Taapopi questioned.
He said this is why people create their own laws.
Christopher Andima, a community leader, said if the police could be available in those settlements, they could easily catch criminals.
“Criminals commit crimes because they know the police are not there. If the police could be there, crimes would be reduced,” he said.
Andima stated that every night a screaming sound could be heard.
He added that criminals target people who go to work early in the morning hours.
“We want the police to be seen every day, the same way we see the security officers everywhere,” he said.
Last week, a journalist fell victim to the criminals.
A gang attacked him at Goreangab and stole his cell phone and more than N$400 in cash.
A case was opened with the police and some of the suspects were arrested.
They are expected to appear in court today (Monday).
Wanaheda Police Station commander Chief Inspector, Itetila Shapaka, said every area in Windhoek is fully zoned and patrolled by the police.
According to him, a lack of resources prevents the police from being everywhere at all times.
“We do everything possible to enforce the law with the resources available,” said Shapaka.
According to him, the station received more than 1000 crime reports from four constituencies with a population of over 240 000, that are in the jurisdiction of the Wanaheda Police Station, namely Samora Machel, Moses Garoeb, Tobias Hainyeko and parts of John Pandeni.
He said the patrol is being conducted every day.
“Even as we speak right now, the patrol is ongoing. The problem is that the area is so big and police officers are overworked due to other commitments,” he explained.
Shapaka said the police are working in collaboration with the City Police and police reservists to fight crimes.
“On weekends and month ends, we even bring in officers who deal with administrative work to conduct patrols. That is why the residents say they only see us on paydays,” he said.
Shapaka stated that Wanaheda is the only police station that receives more crime reports since it deals with vast areas.
He urged members of the public to work together with the police to fight crimes.
