Maria David
THE increasing number of crimes in the Omusati Region has been attributed to a lack of human resources, transport scarcity, and a shortage of necessary equipment.
Erginus Endjala, the governor of Omusati Region, during his State of the Region Address (SORA), said a total of 5 315 cases were registered in the financial year 2020/21.
Of the total crimes recorded, 1 085 cases were reported in Outapi, 801 in Okahao, and only 90 reported in Ruacana.
Endjala stated that the crime rate has been fluctuating during the period under review with assault cases, stock theft, and burglaries at an alarming increase due to alcohol and drug abuse.
“The region has also experienced an unprecedented emergence of cases of dealing in illicit drugs and illegal hunting of specially protected species,” he said.
Endjala further pointed out that a total number of 614 gender-based violence (GBV) cases were reported, of which 431 were reported during 2020 and 183 were reported from January to date.
He explained GBV cases are on the increase due to families spending more time in the same house following COVID-19 lockdowns and stringent regulations on the sale of alcohol.
“Where common crimes are concerned, assault cases are the most prevalent in the region,” he added.
The common theme in these kinds of crimes, he said, is alcohol abuse, struggling marriages, broken families, or failed relationships.
Other crimes include assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault by threats, common assault, and rape.
Endjala indicated that during the State of Emergency lockdown where the movement of people was restricted and the sale of alcohol banned altogether, common crimes were relatively low.
Petty crimes, however, increased following lockdown regulations as police officers opened many cases against citizens for non-compliance to State of Emergency regulations.
