Schoolboy gangs terrorise Rundu
Police let juvenile robbers go because of young age
Residents claim if gangs find someone with a cheap, non-smartphone - a 'Tamagotchi' - they often try to force it into the victim's mouth.
Rundu has become a hive of schoolboy gangs robbing residents of their valuables, while those found with cheap phones are asked to ‘eat’ them.
Those who resist the gangsters’ demands or fight them risk being stabbed.
These teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, are said to be running the streets of Rundu.
It is alleged that some of the victims have been police officers, which demonstrates how dangerous the streets of Rundu have become.
In darkness
Most of these attacks happen late at night when patrons of bars and nightclubs, some of them intoxicated, try to make their way home.
At the crux of it all is a lust for smart phones and other valuable gadgets, which the juveniles steal and sell for a quick buck.
With residents now alert to the danger on the streets, the gangs have turned to robbing houses. Their tactics include robbing houses in large groups to scare off the owners.
Stuffed
When Namibian Sun first reported about these gangs in September, local police were quoted as saying they had dealt with the situation.
Two months later, the stories in the community about these attacks on people’s lives and property have worsened.
A Rundu resident said the only way to avoid being attacked is to cooperate.
"I tell you now, when those boys find you, don’t try to run or fight them because you will not know how many there are, as some will be hiding. I suggest you cooperate and give them whatever they want because you don’t want to be beaten up, stabbed and still lose your valuables," the man said.
"The sad part is that if they find you with a ‘Tamagotchi’ – a cheap, non-smartphone – they will tell you that people should not walk around with such cheap phones before they take it from you, ask you to open your mouth, and then slap it or try to punch it down your throat."
It is said that these boys often carry out these acts while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, substances that are not difficult to find or buy in Rundu.
Police response
When contacted for comment, Kavango East police crime coordinator deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu said the police are hard at work to deal with the teenage boys who are creating fear in the community.
Kanyetu denied that the police are failing to protect the lives and properties of people as a result of the boy gangs.
He said special police operations have been launched, and some of the boys have been arrested.
Nevertheless, he said the challenge is that because of the age of the suspects, they are released and placed into the custody of their parents, and they inevitably continue committing the same crimes.
"I do understand the concern of the people. The only thing I should advise is that the security of a human being rests in yourself," Kanyetu said.
"The police are arresting the people doing these things. The public has to come forth, and some of them are their own kids."
Angolan market
Kanyetu stated that a significant number of stolen mobile phones have been traced to Angola.
He said that because of the porous border, thieves can easily sell mobile phones in Angola for cash.
He also warned that there appears to be a market for smartphones, a key attraction for the gangs.
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Those who resist the gangsters’ demands or fight them risk being stabbed.
These teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, are said to be running the streets of Rundu.
It is alleged that some of the victims have been police officers, which demonstrates how dangerous the streets of Rundu have become.
In darkness
Most of these attacks happen late at night when patrons of bars and nightclubs, some of them intoxicated, try to make their way home.
At the crux of it all is a lust for smart phones and other valuable gadgets, which the juveniles steal and sell for a quick buck.
With residents now alert to the danger on the streets, the gangs have turned to robbing houses. Their tactics include robbing houses in large groups to scare off the owners.
Stuffed
When Namibian Sun first reported about these gangs in September, local police were quoted as saying they had dealt with the situation.
Two months later, the stories in the community about these attacks on people’s lives and property have worsened.
A Rundu resident said the only way to avoid being attacked is to cooperate.
"I tell you now, when those boys find you, don’t try to run or fight them because you will not know how many there are, as some will be hiding. I suggest you cooperate and give them whatever they want because you don’t want to be beaten up, stabbed and still lose your valuables," the man said.
"The sad part is that if they find you with a ‘Tamagotchi’ – a cheap, non-smartphone – they will tell you that people should not walk around with such cheap phones before they take it from you, ask you to open your mouth, and then slap it or try to punch it down your throat."
It is said that these boys often carry out these acts while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, substances that are not difficult to find or buy in Rundu.
Police response
When contacted for comment, Kavango East police crime coordinator deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu said the police are hard at work to deal with the teenage boys who are creating fear in the community.
Kanyetu denied that the police are failing to protect the lives and properties of people as a result of the boy gangs.
He said special police operations have been launched, and some of the boys have been arrested.
Nevertheless, he said the challenge is that because of the age of the suspects, they are released and placed into the custody of their parents, and they inevitably continue committing the same crimes.
"I do understand the concern of the people. The only thing I should advise is that the security of a human being rests in yourself," Kanyetu said.
"The police are arresting the people doing these things. The public has to come forth, and some of them are their own kids."
Angolan market
Kanyetu stated that a significant number of stolen mobile phones have been traced to Angola.
He said that because of the porous border, thieves can easily sell mobile phones in Angola for cash.
He also warned that there appears to be a market for smartphones, a key attraction for the gangs.
[email protected]
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