Placido Hilukilwa
MANY citizens imagine the Namibian Police as an agency that is seized only with the arrest of suspected criminals.
However, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo of the police’s community affairs division, says that the police’s role includes much more than apprehending suspected law-breakers.
“We do not only arrest suspected criminals. We also fulfil an educational role as we prevent and combat crime,” said Aiyambo while addressing residents of the Ompumbu location of Oshakati Tuesday morning.
Aiyambo was part of an Oshakati town council entourage that is conducting a four-month long series on public meetings in the various informal settlements.
He focused on cooperation between the public and the police in rooting out crime, saying that the police expect the community to play a role in preventing and combating crime by tipping off the police about suspected criminal activities.
He also urged residents to cooperate with the volunteers of the Women and Men Network against crime.
“Some of you label them as ‘Aiyambo’s puppets’ what is not good. They are there for you,” he said.
He further addressed a perception among the public that the police arrest and then immediately release suspects on bail.
“We do not release suspects. We arrest them, charge them and take them to court. It is the court, not the police, that decides whether to grant or not to grant bail, having carefully looked at the nature of the case,” he said.
He also addressed longstanding complaint about the police’s slow reaction whenever a crime is reported.
Aiyambo explained that police stations are sometimes inundated with crime reports and they have to prioritize due to the limited number of vehicles.
“For example, if separate cases of murder, armed robbery and common assault are reported simultaneously and we have only one vehicle, then we have to prioritize the most serious before attended to the others,” he explained.
Warrant Officer Frieda Shikole Ashiyana who accompanied Aiyambo explained the benefits of having a neighbourhood watch, how it works and how to establish one.
“Neighbourhood watch has proved to be very effective in preventing crime,” she said.
Ompumbu residents were also warned against alcohol and drug abuse.
Deputy Mayor Puyeipawa Elifas spoke of alcohol as the cause of many societal problems.
She warned that small kids are abusing alcohol and drugs behind their parents back. “The solution is to keep them busy. Encourage them to join choirs and engage in sports,” she said.
Oshakati Mayor Leonard Hango said: “Namibia’s future would be ruined if we allow alcohol and drugs to destroy our youth.”
