By: Eba Kandovazu
Omusati regional commander Commissioner Titus Shikongo has confirmed that his region may soon need assistance with accommodating trial-awaiting prisoners from other regions because the police holding cells in Omusati are overcrowded.
He says this may also be another challenge because of a lack of transport in cases where an accused may need to appear before a court.
Shikongo corroborated the regional governor Erginus Endjala, who last week said during his state of the region address that currently, 480 trial-waiting prisoners are accommodated in the jail cells, exceeding the maximum capacity of 309. Endjala expressed that it is a worrying situation, as it is an indicating factor that there is a high rate of crime in the region.
The governor, however, said that despite this, in comparison to last year, the crime rate in the region has gone down. He said that 4,079 cases were recorded this year, while 4,686 cases were recorded last year in the period under review.
The governor explained that another cause for concern is the prevalent crimes being recorded at the border of Angola and Namibia, at Omuvelo Wakashamane border post, Okapalelona, as well as Omahenene.
Shikongo said the number of prisoners in jail cells fluctuates between 400 to 500 or more.
“As we speak today, suspects in our jail cells stand at 511. We have seven cells in total, as well as police stations where suspects are kept. As I’ve indicated, these cells can accomplish 309 suspects. Therefore we have exceeded the limit, but this is because of the high crimes we are recording daily. The other thing is the slow finalisation of cases. The more serious the crime, the more time a person will spend in jail. Currently, the main suspects in our cells are rape suspects, murderers, poachers and all serious offences as well as foreign nationals and repeat offenders,” Shikongo said.
Endjala, in his speech, said that the border post crimes include the smuggling of fuel, cigarettes, whiskey as well as medicine.
Meanwhile, Shikongo told The Villager that rape tops the crimes in his region, adding that the perpetrators are mainly older men who have sexual intercourse with minor girls. According to him, statutory rape is the main problem. He emphasised that a minor has no “yes” rights over sexual relations with older men.
“Whether or not a child gave consent, it is still a crime, and we will arrest the perpetrator,” he explained.
Shikongo also said that the number of allowable suspects in a single cell depends on its building structure. He says overcrowding is not grounds for prisoners’ release from jail cells. He says the Ombudsman does regular inspections to ensure that no human rights are violated.
“Prisoners should just remember also that jail is not a hotel, and the public’s interest and safety should be put first. Yes, we know overcrowding is not the best option, but we have no choice,” Shikongo stated.
He also revealed that a high number of stock theft is being recorded.
The governor said that rape has reduced in Omusati region by 16 per cent, from 85 cases to 71 cases this year.
Last year, 70 suicide cases were recorded, while 41 cases are reported in this financial year, Endjala added.
