Housebreaking on the rise at Rundu

Kenya Kambowe

Rundu



With a countrywide state of emergency in full effect, housebreaking is on the rise in Kavango East.

Regional crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, revealed that crime is taking its toll at Rundu, where residents have abandoned their homes, without informing neighbours or the police, to flee to villages in the hope of avoiding contracting the coronavirus. Kanyetu said over the weekend a number of arrests were made in relation to housebreaking.

He added that some cases are the result of people going to shopping at supermarkets where they spend hours in long queues, due to the limited number of shoppers allowed to enter at a time.



Houses unattended

“People are leaving their houses unattended, which results in them falling victim to criminals who have taken this time as an opportunity,” Kanyetu said.

He called on the public to inform the police when they leave home.

“Once the police know of empty houses, it is easy for us to combat crime through patrols, instead of responding to complaints after the crime has been committed,” Kanyetu added.