130 inmates in a 30-person cell – Hengari

Lawaaker Inna Hengari has labelled Namibia’s detention and correctional facilities a health hazard to inmates, with severe overcrowding, particularly at the Ohangwena police station, among others.

Hengari in the parliament on Tuesday joined calls from the Office of the Ombudsman to reform the country’s holding and jail cells, including the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

“Ohangwena police station has a capacity of only 30 but 143 inmates were found in custody,” Hengari told the National Assembly.

In their annual reports, the Office of the Ombudsman continues to highlight the deplorable conditions under which inmates are held.

The National Assembly will discuss and debate this matter, with safety and security minister Albert Kawana expected to explain the conditions.

“Long periods of detention, poor maintenance of facilities and overcrowding, particularly seen at the Ohangwena police station, are indeed matters of great concern,” she said.

She also mentioned the Oshivelo and Omuthiya police stations.

“Overcrowding, as seen in Oshikoto region’s Omuthiya police station, rendered it impossible to enforce crucial health regulations during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

“Further, in stations like the Opuwo police station, complaints about case postponements and issues regarding bail elucidate a larger judicial backlog that further clogs our detention system, prompting us to consider reforms beyond the physical conditions of the facilities,” Hengari said.

The Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker pointed out the lack order maintained after assault cases.

“Worryingly, incidents of alleged assault among inmates, like the one previously reported at Oshivelo police station and another recently reported at Oshikango police station, reflect a system failing to maintain order and security,” Henagri said.

In the latest annual report of 2022, ombudsman Basilius Dyakhuga said a total of 109 inmates were found in the holding cells with capacity of 90 inmates.

“The station commander informed us that the overcrowding was due to an increase in crime in the area, and a limited number of holding cells,” noted the report.

The report further noted that the holding cells are in a dilapidated state with none of the lights in the cells functional.

“Sewage was found flowing into the holding cells due to blocked sewers. We received complaints in writing but were unable to interact with suspects due to Covid-19 restrictions,” Dyakhuga said.

Furthermore, Hengari named the Omungwelume, Oshikango, Ohangwena, Eenhana and Okongo police stations as overcrowded.

“As reported previously, Omungwelume and Ohangwena police stations were found to be severely overcrowded once again.
“The Omungwelume station has three cells with a capacity of 30 persons, but 74 inmates were found in custody, this included three females, seven juveniles and seven foreign nationals, while the Ohangwena police station has a capacity of only 30 but 143 inmates were found in custody,” she told the National Assembly.

Focusing on the coastal side of the country, she listed the Narraville, Kamanjab, Karibib, Usakos and Swakopmund police stations.

“Issues ranging from over-crowding, the overall conditions of cells were very poor, especially at the Karibib police station. Broken toilet pots, leaking showers and cracked or damaged walls,” Henagri said.

According to the budget books, the safety and security ministry stated that non-adherence of the correctional service to security standards contributed to a high number of security incidents and has a significant impact on overall security rate.

“Therefore, the target was not reached due to budget limitations, leading to staff shortages, lack of security implements and lack of capacity development. The incidences increased, particularly mobile cellular phones, gang activities, drugs and tobacco.”
The ministry set a target of 80% for the overall security situation in correctional facilities to improve nationwide.