‘Tell us when your house is unattended’

THE festive season is here, and as families travel to their favourite holiday destinations, cases of housebreak and theft in Namibia see an increase, the police warn.

Khomas regional police commander Ismael Basson says this period is usually marked by an increase in various crimes, including gender-based violence (GBV).

“This is a time when many families are planning to go on vacation, leaving their homes unattended to, which makes it an opportunity for perpetrators,” he says.

Basson urges families and individuals planning travelling to notify the police of this by providing them with the dates on which they would not be at home.

“We barely have citizens notify the police about when they would leave their house unattended, and this is very worrying, because this is the time we get so many reports on housebreaks.

“If you are going away, I would encourage you to look for someone you trust to watch your property,” Basson says.

He also urges members of the public to drive cautiously to prevent road accidents.

“Let us stick to the required speed limits, let us drive and arrive alive,” he says.

He says people tend to forget about their own safety during the festive season.

“We need to calm down and remember that corona is still among us. Every life is important, so let us make sure we remain vigilant,” he says.

Basson also encourages members of the public to report any crime they may witness.

He says December also sees an increase in assault – often due to alcohol abuse.

“Let us avoid drinking and driving, and drink responsibly,” he says.

Oshana police regional commander Rauha Amwele similarly cautioned citizens be vigilant during the festive season.

“On Saturday, 4 November, at around 10h00, a man was attacked by three unknown suspects while approaching the traffic lights along the Oshakati and Ongwediva main road.

“The suspects carried a knife and a gun, which they pointed at the victim, who was stabbed several times in his left arm, before being thrown to the ground.

“They took a backpack from the victim, which contained N$60 000 in cash. The suspects jumped into a silver RunX with a Windhoek number plate, and fled the scene,” Amwele said during a previous interview with The Namibian.

“According to the victim, he had just gotten money from his place of work, where he is employed as a paymaster,” he says.

In a separate incident, a resident of Onawa in the Oshana region was robbed recently.

“This lady was approached by thieves who slapped her before taking her items. They took her mobile phone and handbag, which contained her wallet, money, and ID card. The items are valued at N$15 000,” says Amwele.

No arrests have been made in either incident.

“This is a bad time of the year. We need to be cautious and protect each other and our properties at all times.

“We are discouraging people from carrying huge amounts of money. People should not withdraw so much cash, and if they really have to, they should come to the police so that they can be escorted to the bank, she says.”