City’s crime hotspots

Okahandja Park, Havana and Okuryangava have emerged as Windhoek's biggest crime hotspots, recording 15 112 cases over five years, including 77 murders and 2 736 robberies.Statistics provided by the Windhoek City Police, dated 16 September, show that the three areas recorded 9 016 property-related crimes and 6 096 violent crimes.Property crimes included 5 194 thefts, 3 281 housebreakings, 297 motor vehicle thefts and 244 business break-ins.Violent crimes included 3 006 assaults with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 2 736 robberies, 147 armed robberies, 130 attempted murders and 77 murders.City Police spokesperson superintendent Marcelline Murapo said crime concentrations differed according to the offences being examined.“The areas identified as having the highest concentration of reported cases differ depending on the category of crime being considered.”Other property crime hotspots included Wernhil, Independence Shoprite and the central business district, which collectively recorded 5 797 cases. Damara Location, Katutura Shoprite and B1 City Mall accounted for another 4 212 cases.Goreangab and Greenwell Matongo recorded 2 511 violent crimes, while another grouping covering Damara Location, Nama Location and Dolam recorded 2 510.Residents fear for their safetyKatutura resident Gehard Tjambiru blamed inadequate street lighting and persistent criminal activity for growing insecurity.“The problem is that they are always busy and unreliable. Even sitting inside your yard is not safe. You can hear people screaming every night while inside your house. The area is really unsafe, to the point where, sooner or later, you could somehow become part of the statistics,” he said.Nama Location resident Caroline Kotze, who has lived there for 20 years, said robberies, assaults and stabbings had become common.“We never rest be it the beginning of a month or month end, there is crime happening every week day from cellphone grabbing, beating people until they are unconscious or stab them” she said.Kotze said her niece recently died after a severe assault.“My niece was beaten so badly that she suffered brain damage, to the point where the family was advised to switch off the machine. It is very sad, and that is how bad the situation has become here in the Nama location.”Havana resident Stephanus Johannes said three men robbed him of approximately N$3 000 at Ombili in late August.Johannes, who has lived in Havana for six years, said he was walking home around 15h00 after leaving a taxi at the Woermann Brock supermarket taxi rank.Near a speed hump, two men allegedly approached him while a third restrained him from behind. They took his money but failed to steal his cellphone.He said several people near shebeens and a car wash witnessed the robbery without intervening. The suspects fled after an approaching taxi driver hooted.Johannes expressed disappointment that bystanders had failed to assist him.Murapo said the City Police were responding through increased patrols, intelligence-led operations, CCTV surveillance and drones.Officers also analyse crime patterns, identify repeat offenders and conduct undercover operations in high-risk areas.The municipality is working to improve street lighting, install high-mast lights, clear bushes and erect fences to reduce opportunities for crime.“We work with neighbourhood watches, community working groups, residents and other stakeholders to identify local concerns and develop appropriate interventions jointly,” Murapo said.She cautioned that crime hotspots could change as offenders moved between neighbourhoods.“Crime patterns are not static. Areas experiencing higher levels of reported crime can change depending on reported incidents, offender movements and other emerging trends,” she said.

City’s crime hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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City’s crime hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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