We will arrest you – Ndeitunga
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Police chief, Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, says despite the overcrowding in police holding cells across the country, the police will be relentless in arresting those contravening the Covid-19 regulations.
He told Namibian Sun they are not proud of the cat and mouse relationship they have with the public in terms of ensuring that people comply with the measures imposed by government to curb the further spread of the virus.
The police have arrested crowds of people found in contravention of the regulations, with the latest being 27 men arrested in Windhoek following furore at a funeral.
Ndeitunga, who described the public’s behaviour as uncalled for, said there are elements in society who are not taking the virus seriously.
He added that those being arrested pose a danger to inmates, which could result in the holding cells becoming super spreaders of Covid-19.
“The issue is that our cells are overcrowded. It makes administrative challenges for the police,” Ndeitunga said.
“If we arrest them, they have to go in and they will endanger those who are already [inside]. Those are the challenges we are talking about [which] the police are faced with. You do this, they complain; you do that, they complain,” he said.
“That is the issue – we have to arrest those who are contravening the law. Everybody should be aware that the cells are congested and overcrowded. We will not relent in arresting those who are in contravention of the law.”
Just behave
Ndeitunga said people should comply with the regulations.
“People should not do things [adhere to the regulations] because they are afraid to be arrested, but they should do it consciously. They must do it consciously knowing that we are facing imminent danger in our lives. We can only succeed if we do it together and not to be afraid to be arrested,” the police chief explained.
“What we are urging is that people should behave and avoid being arrested and fill the police holding cells which are already congested.”
Early last year when the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, police holding cells were among the super spreaders and a number of decisions were imposed by the police, such as banning visitors.
Some regions had to accommodate newly arrested inmates at other police stations due to the lack of space in holding cells.
[email protected]
RUNDU
Police chief, Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, says despite the overcrowding in police holding cells across the country, the police will be relentless in arresting those contravening the Covid-19 regulations.
He told Namibian Sun they are not proud of the cat and mouse relationship they have with the public in terms of ensuring that people comply with the measures imposed by government to curb the further spread of the virus.
The police have arrested crowds of people found in contravention of the regulations, with the latest being 27 men arrested in Windhoek following furore at a funeral.
Ndeitunga, who described the public’s behaviour as uncalled for, said there are elements in society who are not taking the virus seriously.
He added that those being arrested pose a danger to inmates, which could result in the holding cells becoming super spreaders of Covid-19.
“The issue is that our cells are overcrowded. It makes administrative challenges for the police,” Ndeitunga said.
“If we arrest them, they have to go in and they will endanger those who are already [inside]. Those are the challenges we are talking about [which] the police are faced with. You do this, they complain; you do that, they complain,” he said.
“That is the issue – we have to arrest those who are contravening the law. Everybody should be aware that the cells are congested and overcrowded. We will not relent in arresting those who are in contravention of the law.”
Just behave
Ndeitunga said people should comply with the regulations.
“People should not do things [adhere to the regulations] because they are afraid to be arrested, but they should do it consciously. They must do it consciously knowing that we are facing imminent danger in our lives. We can only succeed if we do it together and not to be afraid to be arrested,” the police chief explained.
“What we are urging is that people should behave and avoid being arrested and fill the police holding cells which are already congested.”
Early last year when the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, police holding cells were among the super spreaders and a number of decisions were imposed by the police, such as banning visitors.
Some regions had to accommodate newly arrested inmates at other police stations due to the lack of space in holding cells.
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