Murder and mayhem

The violent death rate in Namibia is one of the highest in the world and in proportion to that of high-intensity conflict zones.At a rate of 24 violent deaths per 100 000, this is more than double the global rate. Of these, five are women, the remainder are men.A recent report 'Global Violent Deaths' providing the latest available data, however, says the figures may be severely underestimated as many countries still do not produce timely and relevant data on violent deaths, which is essential for measuring progress using both national and global indicators.At least 560 000 people around the world died violently in 2016. This translates to a global rate of eight violent deaths per 100 000 people. Namibia more than doubles that.Globally, most violent deaths occurred outside of war zones. About 18% (99 000) were war deaths; 68% (385 000) were intentional murders. An estimated 10% of all violent killings are classified as unintentional murders and another 3% as killings due to legal interventions.In 2016 Namibia was among 23 countries that exhibited extremely high violent deaths, meaning a minimum of 20 violent deaths per 100 000. The highest numbers of violent deaths were recorded in Brazil, India, Syria, Nigeria and Venezuela, while Namibia ranked 22nd with a rate of 24 violent deaths per 100 000. Syria, in comparison, had a violent death rate of more than 175 per 100 000, however the report notes that Syria as well as eight other countries were at war.“In the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesotho, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, and Venezuela, crime claimed as many victims as some high-intensity conflicts.The Namibian police chief, Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, told Namibian Sun that the rating is debatable although there is concern in Namibia over violent crime. He said he did not agree that Namibia should be ranked as one of the countries with the highest violent death rates, although he added that it was not known what formula was used to come to this conclusion. Ndeitunga admitted that there were serious concerns that needed to be addressed such as domestic violence, where he said not only firearms were used to kill but also other weapons such as machetes. He said alcohol and drug abuse also led to violent crimes.“We have a wave of violent crimes that is affecting the city, but this is not cause for alarm. It means that more needs to be done.”Ndeitunga also referred to housebreakings in which people are violently assaulted and said the police “are not scared to use the same force”.“They are coming for our houses. They are killing our brothers and families and living on the loot that they stole. They should expect the same force.”He added that the report should be seen as a wake-up call to redouble efforts and added that more resources should be allocated for the police to do their job properly. The report adds that some of the listed countries are plagued by high levels of violence related to economic and political crises, fragility and widespread impunity for crimes. Rising inequality, poverty, unemployment (especially among youth), and exclusion, may also play a role. Guns ruleCountries with the highest rates of lethal violence typically had a higher proportion of firearm-related killings and Namibia was no exception. In 2016 data indicated that in Namibia at least three deaths per 100 000 were committed with firearms. Namibia was also among the countries with the highest death rate by use of firearm globally, ranking 14th. El Savador with 75 deaths per 100 000 committed by firearms ranked the highest. The report adds that while arms may not always be used in gender-based violence, they are correlated with an increase in gender inequality and a generalised culture of violence, against women in particular. Private gun ownership in Namibia has more than doubled from 2004 to 2017, with handguns dominating new licence applications and self-defence cited as the number-one reason to own a firearm.A recent briefing paper on gun ownership and gun crime by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows that the number of registered firearms has increased from around 97 000 to more than 200 000 since 2004; up from five guns per 100 000 citizens to nine guns per 100 citizens now.On average, 6 653 gun licences are issued annually.But the increase in firearm licences issued has not been associated with an increase in gun-related crimes, IPPR found.The study indicated that murders by firearm rose from 3.4% of all murders between 1995 and 2001, to 14.05% between 2009 and 2017.More than 3 200 murders were reported in the nine years under review, with an average of 364 murders per year.The number of shooting deaths remained fairly constant, ranging between 35 and 69 per year, in comparison to murders committed with another weapon, which have steadily increased in recent years.There was a decrease in attempted murders by firearm, and a steady decrease in robbery cases involving guns.ELLANIE SMIT

Murder and mayhem

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Murder and mayhem

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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