Arrest must be last resort – Lucia Iipumbu

The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, says arrests should be the last resort as the ministry is facing serious overcrowding challenges in police holding cells countrywide.

She says, where possible, the police must aim to prevent and redirect before turning to the incarceration of offenders. Iipumbu said this during the official launch of ‘Operation Lucia’ held at Oshakati on Saturday.

“Therefore, wherever possible, we must aim to prevent, mediate and redirect before turning to incarceration, and when the last resort must be executed, I request you to do it humanly, do not insult, belittle or in any way humiliate people, unless it is absolutely necessary. Unwarranted detentions, and premature arrests are costing us the scarce resources,” she said.

Iipumbu further noted that crime in the country remains a serious concern as the ministry is particularly disturbed by the rise in armed robberies, murder cases, gender-based violence, road traffic accidents, drug-related offences, and property crimes.

“Equally important, crime statistics increasingly point not only to reported incidents, but to proactive efforts by the police – where law enforcement goes out into communities and detects crime before it is reported. I would want to believe this is what you would regard in law enforcement as intelligence led policing. This proactive policing approach is commendable and should be reinforced,” she said.

Police deputy inspector general major general Elias Mutota says the Oshana region has arrested about 27 suspects on poaching related cases during the anti-poaching operation phase 29, ‘Yesa Ongava’, and other crime prevention operations in the region.

About 12 vehicles were impounded, including two trucks, and an amount of N$20 000 was frozen in the bank account during various crime prevention operations in the region.

Mutota says two rhino and a pangolin skin, an amount of N$100 000, five hunting rifles with three silencers and binoculars, three shotguns, one air gun and two pistols, and 75 live ammunition of different calibres were successfully recovered during these operations.

“These achievements reflect the members dedication, professionalism and the growing support we receive from communities and various stakeholders. Despite the many successes we have registered, crime continues to pose a significant threat to the security and socio-economic stability of our country.

“Of particular concern in this region and others are rape, gender-based violence, housebreaking and theft, drunk and driving, and armed robbery,” says Mutota.

Mutota further urges the central government to come up with strategic mechanism to address issues of mental health and social well-being of the people.

“Another serious concern is the continuous alarming increase in the smuggling of illegal fuel from Angola, commonly known as ‘Ngungula’, particularly in the northern regions. This illicit trade not only undermines our national economy, but also poses significant safety and environmental risks,” he says.

To date, the Oshana region has confiscated a total of 67 701 litres of illegal fuel, with the estimated value of N$17 million. Mutota says the confiscated fuel is currently being stored at various police stations, creating a serious hazard to the safety of officers, the public and surrounding infrastructure.

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