Crime does not pay

Crime in Namibia has reached critical levels and despite renewed calls by the authorities, including civil society organisations and the church to tackle all forms of social ills in our society, the problem remains a severe one. Violence, particularly against women, is a dark stain on our reputation as a nation. We need to agree that the fight against violence against women and child abuse cannot be left to law-enforcement officials only. It requires a collective responsibility. Gang violence has been on the increase and is not only tearing families and communities apart, but law-abiding citizens have to endure pain and humiliation at the hands of vicious thugs, who in most cases are never held responsible for their actions. Perpetrators of such heinous crimes no longer respect and defend human rights as enshrined in our constitution and this should no longer be allowed to continue. The reaction to the gunning down of a Windhoek man, who was believed to be a suspect in a robbery case, by undercover police officers, is evidence that Namibians are generally fed up with crime. Sakeus 'Kablou' Amateta was reportedly shot dead by detectives moments after he had allegedly attempted to attack the police officers with a knife. He had also resisted arrest after failing to cooperate with the law-enforcement officers. The cops are now facing murder charges and are likely to raise the self-defense claim in that the use of deadly force was necessary, as they were possibly threatened with death or injury. It must also be highlighted that resisting arrest is a very serious offence and one of the major factors the courts will take into consideration. Yes, human life is sacred and the right to life shall at all times be respected and protected as enshrined in our rule of law. The lure of making a little 'easy money', unfortunately, comes with a very heavy price, which does not only include receiving a lengthy jail sentence, but worst of all, ends in unnecessary loss of life. This case really brings to the fore what constitutes the elements of self-defence vis-à-vis police brutality. It is now up to the courts to determine whether the cops were right or not to employ deadly force in this matter. At the end of the day, crime does not pay.