Khorixas cops have vehicles - Kanguatjivi
14 January 2019 | Crime
The Namibian Police (Nampol) has come out guns blazing in response to a recent article that alleged there has been no official vehicle at the Khorixas police station for the past two past months.
Nampol spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi squashed the “misinformation”, by saying the police station had in fact been served by eight vehicles in 2018, but that two of these vehicles were damaged and three were out of service due to mechanical problems.
He said three vehicles were still running.
Kanguatjivi accused the online newspaper that published the article of not contacting the police for comment.
It was reported last week that the Khorixas police station has not had a running official vehicle since November 2018.
“It is really frustrating and it is also a risk to escort trial-awaiting suspects on foot to the hospital when they are sick.
The most embarrassing part is when we have to tell people that call to report crime that there is no vehicle to attend to their calls,” an anonymous police officer is said to have told the online newspaper.
“We had a difficult time during December as many people had come in from different towns. Sometimes we had to use our private vehicles and sometimes we had to use the vehicle that is meant for investigations, which is based in Opuwo,” the source was quoted as saying.
Community activist Romeo Nauseb was quoted as saying that criminals were taking advantage of the lack of resources at the town.
“Criminals know exactly when and where to strike.
They are now aware that the police are operating without a vehicle for about two months and the crime rate has increased drastically, especially in the informal settlement.”
STAFF REPORTER
Nampol spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi squashed the “misinformation”, by saying the police station had in fact been served by eight vehicles in 2018, but that two of these vehicles were damaged and three were out of service due to mechanical problems.
He said three vehicles were still running.
Kanguatjivi accused the online newspaper that published the article of not contacting the police for comment.
It was reported last week that the Khorixas police station has not had a running official vehicle since November 2018.
“It is really frustrating and it is also a risk to escort trial-awaiting suspects on foot to the hospital when they are sick.
The most embarrassing part is when we have to tell people that call to report crime that there is no vehicle to attend to their calls,” an anonymous police officer is said to have told the online newspaper.
“We had a difficult time during December as many people had come in from different towns. Sometimes we had to use our private vehicles and sometimes we had to use the vehicle that is meant for investigations, which is based in Opuwo,” the source was quoted as saying.
Community activist Romeo Nauseb was quoted as saying that criminals were taking advantage of the lack of resources at the town.
“Criminals know exactly when and where to strike.
They are now aware that the police are operating without a vehicle for about two months and the crime rate has increased drastically, especially in the informal settlement.”
STAFF REPORTER
Classifieds