Police patrols curb violent crime in Karas Region

By: LUQMAN CLOETE

A SPECIAL Police operation against alcohol-related violence succeeded in reducing violent crime in the Karas Region over the festive season.

Acting regional commander Johannes Tsuseb yesterday said the only violent crimes were a knife murder and an attempted murder reported at the Lüderitz Police station.
Raphael Pembona (45) was arrested in connection with the murder. Pembona allegedly stabbed Paulus Paulus in the chest. Paulus died shortly after being admitted to the Lüderitz State Hospital.
Tsuseb ascribed the reduction in violent crime to the Police operations against drinking in public and ensuring that shebeen owners comply with liquor licence conditions.
Other serious incidents reported in the region include two cases of rape, housebreaking and robbery, and two fatal road accidents.
A man, who is to appear in court on charges of housebreaking and robbery today, allegedly tied up his former employer and locked her up in a cold-storage room.
The incident happened at a farm in the Aus district.
Tsuseb said the suspect stole two Rolex watches, two Nokia cellphones, three necklaces and N$6 000 in cash after he breaking open a safe.
Police recovered all the stolen items and N$126 in cash from the suspect, said Tsuseb.
The two rapes were reported at Grünau and Aussenkehr, and two men were arrested.
Tsuseb also reported that the body of Warmbad resident Ernesto Silva (71) was found by a Police helicopter in a dry riverbed on Sunday after he had gone missing on Tuesday while prospecting for minerals near Ramansdrift farm.
A post mortem will be conducted soon to determine the cause of Silva’s death.

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