Overcrowding continues at Rundu police station holding cells

The Rundu Police Station holding cells designed to accommodate 100 inmates, are currently holding more than 200 detainees, station commander Chief Inspector Hermine Muranda told Namibian Sun last Friday.Muranda said that some of the troublemakers who had caused repeated damage to the cells were transferred to other facilities in the region. “Before the transfers, detainees who had been kept for extended periods broke the bars, causing malicious damage to state property,” she explained.The commander emphasised that while overcrowding is a challenge, the station is managing the situation. “The only issue is sleeping space due to the small cells. Other than that, our inmates are controllable and we do not have other significant challenges,” Muranda said.Difficult inmatesShe added that problematic inmates, described as a group of “hardcore” detainees, had been causing disturbances within the cells. “When we discovered this, we consulted with regional management, and these individuals were transferred to other stations. This immediately resolved the problem,” Muranda said.The station commander said that the damage to cell doors was linked to these difficult inmates and not systemic neglect. “Rundu Police Station is very large and old, so occasional repairs are needed. During this period, only one case of misconduct involving a police officer has been opened, related to smuggling. Claims in the media about other incidents lack evidence,” she said.Muranda’s update follows Namibian Sun 's July report highlighting prolonged detentions and overcrowding at the Rundu station, which had raised concerns about safety and conditions for both inmates and staff.

Overcrowding continues at Rundu police station holding cells

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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Overcrowding continues at Rundu police station holding cells

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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