Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Eight months after the Windhoek City Police pledged to trace the new owner of the abandoned Pamodzi building and to increase patrols, residents say criminal activity at the site remains a concern.
The building, located in Rykmans Dorp, has been a hotspot for criminal activity since its closure in 2015.
Last year, a woman and her two sons were robbed at knifepoint in front of the structure, prompting fresh calls from the community and leaders for urgent action.
Residents of the nearby Pamodzi Village flats continue to express concern.
“Nothing has changed. We still hear people screaming at night and see strange movements around the building. We are tired of empty promises,” said resident Elizabeth Rooi.
At the time, Windhoek City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the police were in the process of tracing the new owner after Silvanus Hauwanga confirmed that ownership of the property had changed hands.
This week, Murapo told the Windhoek Observer that the owner has since been identified and that criminal activity remains a problem in connection with the building.
“Yes, there have been incidents reported, such as robbery and other crimes. The owner is known. We have members deployed in that specific zone daily,” she said.
Asked why the site had not been secured, Murapo said the police cannot fence off the property without the owner’s permission.
“This is private property. As such, we cannot fence it off without permission from the owner,” she said.
She also said that the city police have engaged other municipal departments, and efforts are underway to address the issue.
In an earlier statement, Murapo attributed rising crime to Windhoek’s rapid population growth, which she said demands a broader approach to law enforcement and urban safety.
“The visibility of our officers plays a crucial role in deterring criminal activities and reassuring the community of their safety,” she said last year.
John Pandeni Constituency Councillor, John Moonde, urged the City Council to enforce its bylaws and bring the owner to book, while police should maintain their patrols around the building
