Staff Reporter
THE Namibian Police (Nampol) announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of Operation Basadi, a crime prevention programme focused on targeting suspects and wanted persons involved in cases of violence against women, children and elderly people, and stated that 165 arrests were made during the operation period.
According to Acting Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General for Administration Anne-Marie Nainda, the operation was conducted from 18 to 20 May and was led by 1 585 women who are in the Nampol force and other security clusters across the country.
Nainda further explained that the operation focused on gender-based violence (GBV), rape, murder, kidnapping, common assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, online sexual abuse and exploitation, human trafficking and related crimes, assault and threatening, domestic violence, child labour, baby dumping and substance and alcohol abuse.
She further highlighted that the operation led to the arrest of 165 people, of which 28 are women. 119 of these arrested suspects, she added, are Namibians, while three are Chinese, two are Zimbabwean, three are Zambian and 37 are Angolan nationals.
In terms of the contravention of the Domestic Violence Act 3 of 2003, Nainda noted that 26 domestic violence cases were reported, 26 warrants of arrest were executed and two formal warnings were issued. In addition to this, she added that eight protection orders, four warnings for child neglect and five warrants of arrest for failure to pay child maintenance were also issued.
She also stated that 1 279 liquor outlets were visited during the operation period. This led to the closure of 13 liquor outlets and one arrest that was issued for operating beyond operating hours. Furthermore, 13 children under the age of 18 received warnings for visiting liquor outlets – and the owners of the liquor outlets were also served with warnings.
Nainda said that seven women were also served with warnings for visiting liquor outlets with babies. She stated that these particular matters will be followed up to ensure the safety of the children involved.
Besides combating crimes against women, children and the elderly, Nainda explained that the programme also aims to develop risk profiles for targeted suspects and crime types. Moreover, she added, the programme also intends to enhance cooperation between the police and the stakeholders in the fight against crime.
To further reduce crimes against women, children and the elderly, Nainda said that 153 awareness campaigns were conducted on GBV, child labour, child neglect, baby dumping, trafficking in persons, online sexual abuse, road safety and substance and alcohol abuse.
Nainda said that the operation is guided by the crime statistics and the police places more emphasis on specific crimes that are more prevalent during a given timeframe.
In this regard, she also announced that the second phase of Operation Basadi will take place in November because, according to her, criminal activities are typically on a rise during that period and crimes also tend to become more horrific, particularly in terms of GBV.
“As you know, gender-based violence and related crimes are a serious national challenge that we are facing,” she added.
