Police investigate Okakarara mayhem

Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga has confirmed that a full-scale investigation has been launched into the mayhem at Okakarara over the past weekend.

Police used force to control unruly and violent community members, while several people were seriously injured, including a police officer.

During the incident 39 suspects were arrested, but 38 have since been released.

Ndeitunga said the responsible culprits will face the full wrath of the law if found guilty, saying it was an “unfortunate incident”.

He said there was maximum deployment of police officers at the town, as the Battle of Okakarara had been commemorated.

Police and emergency units were deployed in Okakarara to conduct crime-prevention patrols and body searches, while also enforcing liquor laws and general police visibility.

Ndeitunga said regrettably on Saturday at around 22:00, reports of people fighting at bars and drinking along streets were received.

When the police arrived at Pink House Bar, some members of the public became violent and Sergeant Ferdinand Muharukua was hit with a bottle on his head and sustained serious injuries.

The arrested suspect was expected to appear in the Okakarara Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Ndeitunga said the police operation continued at Lee Bar, where members of the public were unruly and violent, prompting the police to order the bar manager to close the premises, as the situation escalated.

“The bar manager complied. However, members of the public were against the closure and demanded to know why the bar should close before the stipulated closing hours.”

According to Ndeitunga, the police then requested a man who was questioning the bar's closure to follow them to the station.

The man drove behind a police vehicle, but the situation got out of hand when other patrons followed them to the police station, demanding to see Sergeant Muharukua and threatening to assault and kill him, Ndeitunga said.

Officers then called for more reinforcements.

“Extreme violence broke out at the police station and as such the police unfortunately had to use minimum force and subsequently maximum force in order to subdue the offenders.”

It was reported that Special Reserve Force members arrived in a helicopter and a minibus at Okakarara on Sunday afternoon.

Residents had apparently stormed the police station and allegedly assaulted officers and blocked the gate at around 02:00 on Sunday morning.

Ndeitunga said ultimately 39 suspects were arrested and detained for breach of peace and riotous behaviour, as well as assaulting/obstructing officers in the execution their duties and incitement to commit a crime.

However, 38 people were subsequently released, as preliminary investigations could not directly link them to the charges.

Among those arrested, four people were seriously injured.

They were transported to the Otjiwarongo state hospital, where they are admitted.

No further cases were reported to the police.

Ndeitunga said Okakarara community members who feel aggrieved are at liberty to lay complaints at the police's regional investigation division.

He said they should avoid taking the law into their own hands, in order to avoid a similar situation to what happened over the weekend.

“The public must know that any disturbance to the peace cannot be condoned and therefore I strongly warn public members to desist from such unruly behaviour and encourage them to respect the rule of law at all times.”

ELLANIE SMIT