One toy gun and 343 real guns siezed

Drugs worth over N$1.7 million have been seized so far by the Namibian police under the crime prevention strategy Operation Omake which was launched in November last year.
Listing the operation’s achievements, safety and security minister, Charles Namoloh, told parliament this week that 2 011 rounds of ammunition were seized while 305 pistols, 24 rifles and four revolvers have been impounded since the inception of the operation. In addition, the police seized ten shotguns and one toy gun while firearms used in the commission of violent crimes totalled 42.
“To date, 50 riverbeds and crime-prone areas were cleared and 1 308 suspects were arrested for miscellaneous offences, for example: Robberies, shoplifting, assault and housebreaking,” the minister said.
Operation Omake was launched after a directive from President Hage Geingob soon after the horrifying double murder of the Kuaseua sisters (Cecilia and Jacqueline) on 9 October 2015, in Windhoek.
“Following the escalation of serious crime in the City of Windhoek, such as murder, rape, armed robberies, the president directed that several interventions be undertaken to arrest the situation and to improve the general safety and security of all residents,” Namoloh said.
He however pointed out that the operation which involves extensive clearing of bushes surrounding residential areas which harbour criminals, is not threatening the environment.
“Operation Omake has been and continues to be under the guidance and technical expertise of the city’s environmentalists and engineers,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES