Cells too full to house Covid-19 violators
Funerals of prominent people who died recently are teeming with more mourners than the current regulations allow, but police are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
JEMIMA BEUKES AND OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Inspector-general of the Namibian police Sebastian Ndeitunga says police cells are overcrowded and cannot accommodate persons who are violating the Covid-19 regulations.
He made the comment when asked why the funeral of former environment minister Willem Konjore had more than the 10 persons in attendance, in contravention of the Covid-19 regulations.
Many people were also spotted seated outside the residence of late Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro, who died over a week ago from Covid-19.
The police say their hands are tied in many cases because the cells where violators should be kept are bursting at the seams.
“The cells are full. Where are you going to put them? And you are also taking the virus to the cells, cells are full, they are not even full, they are overcrowded, it’s unhealthy, where are you going to put them?” the police chief reacted when asked yesterday.
“People should just understand themselves and realise, the danger caused by Covid-19 is real and imminent,” said Ndeitunga.
Careless behaviour
According to him, the situation was further exacerbated by the lack of resources at the police’s disposal.
“People should not have waited for the police to dictate what they should do; the regulations are clear to each and every citizen. The lack of resources … the police sometimes cannot be everywhere, we rely on the intelligence of the organisers to assist,” Ndeitunga said.
There was also a lack of understanding about Covid-19 and its dangers, Ndeitunga said.
“The police are running around every day because people do not want to obey, and you shout but people are behaving as if they don’t understand the danger,” Ndeitunga said.
Ndeitunga warned that Covid-19 was a danger.
“They should be conscious that this is a danger for everyone and it does not discriminate anyone, it is there, it is a real threat that can kill,” Ndeitunga said.
WINDHOEK
Inspector-general of the Namibian police Sebastian Ndeitunga says police cells are overcrowded and cannot accommodate persons who are violating the Covid-19 regulations.
He made the comment when asked why the funeral of former environment minister Willem Konjore had more than the 10 persons in attendance, in contravention of the Covid-19 regulations.
Many people were also spotted seated outside the residence of late Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro, who died over a week ago from Covid-19.
The police say their hands are tied in many cases because the cells where violators should be kept are bursting at the seams.
“The cells are full. Where are you going to put them? And you are also taking the virus to the cells, cells are full, they are not even full, they are overcrowded, it’s unhealthy, where are you going to put them?” the police chief reacted when asked yesterday.
“People should just understand themselves and realise, the danger caused by Covid-19 is real and imminent,” said Ndeitunga.
Careless behaviour
According to him, the situation was further exacerbated by the lack of resources at the police’s disposal.
“People should not have waited for the police to dictate what they should do; the regulations are clear to each and every citizen. The lack of resources … the police sometimes cannot be everywhere, we rely on the intelligence of the organisers to assist,” Ndeitunga said.
There was also a lack of understanding about Covid-19 and its dangers, Ndeitunga said.
“The police are running around every day because people do not want to obey, and you shout but people are behaving as if they don’t understand the danger,” Ndeitunga said.
Ndeitunga warned that Covid-19 was a danger.
“They should be conscious that this is a danger for everyone and it does not discriminate anyone, it is there, it is a real threat that can kill,” Ndeitunga said.
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