Concerns over campus safety

Tunohole Mungoba

The months of May and June are known to be examination season for university students, so libraries will be packed to the brim. Matilda* (not her real name) had just

finished a five-hour studying session at the University of Namibia (Unam) library and was headed home around 21:25 a month ago. “I was studying for a test I was going to write the following week and I always opt to study in the library, because I cannot focus at home. I went outside and stood by the taxi rank and I stopped a cab to go home in Rocky Crest. There were only two passengers in the cab. A woman in the front seat and a man in the back,” she said. Matilda got in the cab and did not have any suspicions until the taxi driver started driving slowly and reducing the volume of the car radio. “I thought someone was receiving a call and he turned down the volume so that one of us could answer their phone. This was not the case as the man sitting at the back behind with me pulled out a gun and

told me to give him everything I had,” narrated the traumatised Matilda. In fear of her life, Matilda tried to plead with the man to not pull the trigger and handed over her cellphone, schoolbag with her laptop, textbooks and wallet. “The taxi driver and the woman in front did not even react or turn around to help me. I suspect they were working together. “Although some people told me I was not supposed to give my things, because they are assuming the gun was not loaded with any bullets, I was not willing to take any chances. They stopped in some nearby bushes in Hochland Park and threw me out of the taxi,” she said. Matilda was fortunate enough to have relatives staying in that same suburb and walked to their house and reported the crime. Armed robberies in taxis are a growing phenomenon in Namibia and taxi drivers target mostly students making use of the public transport in the late hours of the night. Fighting crime The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has numerous measures in place regarding the safety of students on campus.

“We are approaching exams soon, so our students make use of the 24-hour external libraries. Although, it is rare, some students have been robbed when walking towards the end of the streets looking for cab,” said Nust SRC president, Marvellous Shilongo. “We have security guards who walk around campus with guns, in order to avoid crimes being attempted on the students and lecturers. They also stand by the entrances of the different lecture buildings to make sure that students are the only ones given access to enter these buildings,” she said.

“The major crimes being reported on campus that we have experienced so far are students being robbed of their goods, especially cellphones and laptops. However, this has not happened in a long time.” Similar to a neighbourhood watch, Nust has established the Nust Students against Crime Society (NSAC). “This society was established a few years back by students with the aim of empowering and supporting other students by fighting off crime and creating a safe haven on campus. This society works closely with the campus control, which is a body within Nust that monitors all activities on campus and deploys security guards to different stations. They also work closely with the City Police,” explained Shilongo.

“This makes it easier for crimes to be reported quickly and to receive a fast response from the police.” One of the biggest challenges that Shilongo and the rest of her SRC team struggle with is the absence of a taxi rank on campus, which forces students to walk far distances to get a taxi. “This increases their chances of being robbed, because we have security guards monitoring the end of different streets, but they too cannot go far from their station. The guards with guns at

the places where students are able to access taxis are there, but we try our best to protect our students.” Shilongo advises students to recruit a taxi driver that picks them up on a daily basis, instead of getting into different cabs each time. “It is safer than having a student use any taxi. Try your best to not get into cabs that look suspicious and always trust your gut.”

Safety and security

Fernando Lussati, SRC member for transport and security at the International University of Management (IUM) in Dorado Park, says the campus has cameras placed at different locations for tracking purposes. “We also have some outside the taxi rank, so they have the ability to capture some of those angles,” he said. Lussati says there have been a few incidents in which students’ schoolbags were stolen during examinations, because they were left outside the examination building. “The security guards got distracted and the thieves managed to get to the bags. This was difficult to trace for us, because the cameras did not reach those angles,” he explained.

The Dorado Park community has collaborated with IUM students by joining hands to fight against crime. “The neighbourhood watch approached us to work together and look out for the safety of the students. They urged students to start up a watchdog on campus as well.” During a meeting with management and the City Police, it was agreed that IUM security guards will escort students, especially females, when they come out of class and are looking for cabs. “At night, these cameras cannot capture the taxi information, so if something happens, at least we do our best to keep them safe. However, students should remember that we cannot control the movements of these taxis. Our duty is only to keep them safe within the boundaries of IUM,” warned Lussati. He has also noticed a pattern of hostel girls being targeted by thieves, as they usually walk to the shops for necessities. “Girls should always walk in groups as these criminals are always monitoring movements on the road. Once they notice the street is quiet, they will attack,” he said.

Major concern

Abel Jason, SRC secretary for internal affairs at the University of Namibia (Unam) says students do not adhere to the advice provided to them. “It is a very big challenge to us, as we have no control over anyone. We cannot force them to do things they do not feel like doing. For example, they have made it a habit to stay out very late and walk around at odd hours in the night, whilst there is poor lighting available on campus and it is not safe for anyone,” said Jason.

The university has also established a campus neighbourhood watch, which is made up of students - mostly student leaders that form part of the SRC, the hostel housing committee, society chairpersons, faculty representatives and members of the sport clubs. “With the help of at least two security guards, we do occasional patrols on campus in the late night hours and we report any suspicious activities taking place,” he said.

The SRC has also printed out safety tip posters that are displayed on notice boards all over campus. “Robbery at knifepoint is one of the most serious criminal activities we experience around here on campus. These robbers know that in late night hours, students carry their valuable items such as cellphones and laptops, especially around this time they are busy with their exams,” added Jason.

“Students walk at night to and from their studying areas, so they take advantage by preying on them like some hungry wild animals.

“There have also been numerous incidences of car break-ins, whereby people find their cars broken into, their items stolen from their cars and some of their car parts disappear, such as wheel covers and other parts that can be easily removed from a car. “In case you find yourself in a situation where you have to choose between your life and items, I advise you to let go of the items and spare your life, once you lose your life you lose yourself; an item can always be replaced,” said Jason.

Top safety tips

• Take responsibility for yourself: Make sure your cellphone is charged and is able to make calls when you go out, in case of an emergency or if you lose the people you are with; and always try to leave public places with friends.

• Have precautions in place when going out - especially if you are alone. Know how you will get home, and plan ahead if you’re going somewhere you don’t know. Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. If you have to walk alone in the dark, try to avoid badly lit areas.

• Watch how much you drink: It’s easier to do something risky or foolish when you are drunk; and you’re more likely to lose your belongings. Eat before you drink alcohol, and drink plenty of water. Keep track of what and how much you’re drinking. Drinks do get spiked with drugs, so never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger.

• Be extra wary of your car. Immobilise your car whenever you leave it, even for a few minutes. Think about where you park. Stealing from vehicles is a major problem and you should routinely remove your CD player and store it in a safe place.

• Keep personal details safe: Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to identity theft or be casual with your personal details. Keep your driving licence, ID and passport safe.

• Be extra careful with money. Check an ATM for signs of interference before using it. Never accept a stranger’s help when using a cash machine, and be aware of people crowding around you.