Rising crime angers Swakop residents

RESIDENTS of Swakopmund who took part in an anti-crime demonstration yesterday stormed a Police van carrying three suspects in the Mooren beach murder case.

More than 300 people took part in the protest in front of the Magistrate’s Court to speak out against crime and demand more Police officers for the town. The Police Chief at the town said earlier the current force had to be doubled to properly serve the community.The demonstration coincided with the second appearance of three suspects arrested on the same day of the cold-blooded murder of Alexandra Mooren on the beach last month.The Police are still looking for a fourth suspect.Margit D’Avignon, convener of the demonstration told The Namibian the crowd stormed the Police van when it sped off with the three suspects after their court appearance.She said the crowd shouted:”They are in there, they are in there” and ran after the van.”They shook the van and shouted angrily at the suspects.”D’Avignon said she was very pleased with the turnout at the demonstration.”I did not expect so many as it was a work day.It was a good half hour spent in solidarity.”She said it was a first step for residents in starting to voice their opinions publicly over the crime situation.”There are Mondesa residents who said they had never seen any Police officers on patrol in the suburb.”Many participants asked that a second demonstration should be organised for November 1 when the suspects have to appear again.Residents said they wanted to see if the Police force had been increased by then.The case had to be postponed yesterday in the absence of the Magistrate.The suspects remain in custody.The Police Chief at the town said earlier the current force had to be doubled to properly serve the community.The demonstration coincided with the second appearance of three suspects arrested on the same day of the cold-blooded murder of Alexandra Mooren on the beach last month.The Police are still looking for a fourth suspect.Margit D’Avignon, convener of the demonstration told The Namibian the crowd stormed the Police van when it sped off with the three suspects after their court appearance.She said the crowd shouted:”They are in there, they are in there” and ran after the van.”They shook the van and shouted angrily at the suspects.”D’Avignon said she was very pleased with the turnout at the demonstration.”I did not expect so many as it was a work day.It was a good half hour spent in solidarity.”She said it was a first step for residents in starting to voice their opinions publicly over the crime situation.”There are Mondesa residents who said they had never seen any Police officers on patrol in the suburb.”Many participants asked that a second demonstration should be organised for November 1 when the suspects have to appear again.Residents said they wanted to see if the Police force had been increased by then.The case had to be postponed yesterday in the absence of the Magistrate.The suspects remain in custody.