Region grapples with violence
The police in the Kavango West Region say gender-based violence is their biggest headache.
According to Kavango West Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Mbumba gender-based violence (GBV) is the most common crime committed in the region, where about three to four cases are reported daily.
Mbumba said most of the GBV cases were the result of alcohol abuse, followed by fights, either at cuca shops or when the people returned home.
Mbumba said in most cases men are the culprits. Based on the information the victims and witnesses share with the police, the attacks result when women question the men about something.
Cases of women beating up me were also reported, but happened rarely.
“These men beat up their women so bad that their eyes are closed and they can't see for some time while their lips are badly injured which makes it difficult for them to talk as blood is all that will come out when they attempt to. As we speak there is a woman in the hospital we took there these days after she was beaten up and she can't walk and talk,” Mbumba said.
When asked who reported these cases, Mbumba said in most instances neighbours and witnesses at the crime scene called the police.
Talking about the efforts made by the police to put an end to the crime of GBV in the region, Mbumba said although they tried to respond promptly to calls, their work was made difficult by the vastness of the region and lack of proper roads, as most of these crimes were committed in the rural areas.
“We don't have shortcuts in this region and if the case is reported at a village which is nearby, we have to go around and look for the main road and by the time the police get there the victim has suffered a lot at the hands of the suspect but if there were shortcuts or alternative roads, we can make a difference,” Mbumba said.
He said another challenge is the unwillingness of the victims to lay charges. In most cases the victims are the dependents in the relationship, which he believes makes them reluctant to press charges.
“In some cases, you see the victim is badly injured and you might think they will die but when they recover and we ask them to lay charges, they refuse,” Mbumba said.
Another challenge hindering the police is the poor mobile phone network. In some areas there is no network coverage and crimes are reported days after the fact.
“In some cases a person will call the police but he is hundreds of meters from the crime scene and once you end the connection with that source, the possibility of getting him or her again is close to none therefore we have to listen well but it's not the best way of doing things,” he said.
Regarding other crimes committed in the region such as rape, murder, livestock theft and housebreaking, Mbumba said they are rare.
“Other crimes are committed in the region but they are not as prevalent as GBV,” Mbumba said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Mbumba said most of the GBV cases were the result of alcohol abuse, followed by fights, either at cuca shops or when the people returned home.
Mbumba said in most cases men are the culprits. Based on the information the victims and witnesses share with the police, the attacks result when women question the men about something.
Cases of women beating up me were also reported, but happened rarely.
“These men beat up their women so bad that their eyes are closed and they can't see for some time while their lips are badly injured which makes it difficult for them to talk as blood is all that will come out when they attempt to. As we speak there is a woman in the hospital we took there these days after she was beaten up and she can't walk and talk,” Mbumba said.
When asked who reported these cases, Mbumba said in most instances neighbours and witnesses at the crime scene called the police.
Talking about the efforts made by the police to put an end to the crime of GBV in the region, Mbumba said although they tried to respond promptly to calls, their work was made difficult by the vastness of the region and lack of proper roads, as most of these crimes were committed in the rural areas.
“We don't have shortcuts in this region and if the case is reported at a village which is nearby, we have to go around and look for the main road and by the time the police get there the victim has suffered a lot at the hands of the suspect but if there were shortcuts or alternative roads, we can make a difference,” Mbumba said.
He said another challenge is the unwillingness of the victims to lay charges. In most cases the victims are the dependents in the relationship, which he believes makes them reluctant to press charges.
“In some cases, you see the victim is badly injured and you might think they will die but when they recover and we ask them to lay charges, they refuse,” Mbumba said.
Another challenge hindering the police is the poor mobile phone network. In some areas there is no network coverage and crimes are reported days after the fact.
“In some cases a person will call the police but he is hundreds of meters from the crime scene and once you end the connection with that source, the possibility of getting him or her again is close to none therefore we have to listen well but it's not the best way of doing things,” he said.
Regarding other crimes committed in the region such as rape, murder, livestock theft and housebreaking, Mbumba said they are rare.
“Other crimes are committed in the region but they are not as prevalent as GBV,” Mbumba said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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