Rundu’s ‘veteran escapee’ makes another run for it

An inmate who appears to be becoming something of a veteran escapee has given Rundu police the slip again, fleeing from custody with another detainee shortly after the pair were dropped off at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court last week.

The inmate had reportedly escaped from custody only months earlier in a similar manner, making his latest dash particularly embarrassing for police, who have now blamed negligence by the officers entrusted with guarding the detainees.

Rundu Police Station commander Chief Inspector Hermine Muranda said no shortage of firearms or other resources could explain how two people who had been transported to court in police custody suddenly found themselves free.

“Ultimately, it happened, and it happened due to police negligence," she told Namibian Sun yesterday. "It was not because of resources or anything. It was just an individual error,” she added.

The latest escape happened shortly after the inmates were offloaded at the court premises, during what should have been the routine process of transferring detainees from police custody for their court appearances.

Instead, the two found an opportunity to escape, leaving police searching for the duo they had delivered to court only moments earlier.

Of particular concern is the reported history of one of the escapees, who is said to have escaped from custody twice in recent months.

His latest disappearance has also revived concerns among officials at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court about the security arrangements surrounding accused people brought to court and the potential danger posed to court staff when detainees are not properly guarded.

‘Casual’ guards

Court officials told Namibian Sun on Friday that the inmate escapes were becoming a regular occurrence at the court.

The officials claimed that police members deployed at the court were often casual in their approach to security and sometimes performed court duties without firearms, something they fear could leave court personnel vulnerable if an accused person becomes violent or attempts a more dangerous escape.

According to officials, armed police officers are generally more visible when specialised Field Force members are deployed, particularly when a known or habitual criminal appears in court.

Muranda strongly disputed the suggestion that Rundu Magistrate’s Court has become a place where accused people regularly escape.

“It’s not a tendency. It’s not true that there are always escapes. It’s actually very rare,” Muranda said, adding that such incidents have been uncommon over the past four to five years.

No shortage of guns

Muranda also rejected suggestions that officers were unable to properly secure the court because they did not have access to firearms, saying weapons were available to members who needed them for their duties.

“Members are not refused firearms,” she said.

She explained that firearms are not permanently issued to individual police officers, meaning members assigned to court duties have to book them out at the police station when required.

“It is their responsibility to book it out because they don’t keep it permanently with them,” Muranda said.

While officers are instructed to carry firearms, she said members who are uncomfortable carrying one are not forced to.

“If they fail to do so, then I will take it as an individual not wanting to carry a firearm,” she said.

Court officials have also questioned whether a stronger police presence is needed at the court, but Muranda said deploying additional officers permanently to the premises would have to be weighed against policing needs elsewhere in Rundu.

“Practically speaking, police have a lot of duties,” she said.

“They cannot be just standing around the premises to make you feel safe while the crimes are happening around town.”