Ndeitunga shuns shebeens

ALCOHOL not only destroys Namibian homes but also contributes tremendously to the high rate of crime in the country, Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said yesterday.

According to Lieutenant General Ndeitunga, ‘The Police crime records show that the majority of violent crimes such as murder, armed robberies, rape and violence against women and children, [and] assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm are either perpetrated by people under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances, or their victims were found to be intoxicated.’Apart from the crime caused by alcohol abuse, the Police have also received a number of complaints received from residents – particularly in Windhoek about noise pollution.Also of concern, Ndeitunga said yesterday, is the mushrooming of shebeens in residential areas. ‘All concerned Namibians will agree with me that at every second or third house, in most suburbs, there is a shebeen and in some cases, these shebeens – whether licensed or not – are set up in close proximity to schools.’What is equally disturbing, he said, is ‘that illegal shebeen operators and their immediate families have benefitted in the sales of alcohol at the expense of the moral values of the majority of our society. Many families’ hearts are bleeding because of crimes attributed to misuse of alcohol, perpetrated against and or involving their families.’He warned ‘some negligible quarters of our society’ not to politicise the enforcement of the law. ‘I would also like to remind the public that should there be a law that does not serve the interest and aspiration of the people, the people may challenge it in court or approach Parliament to amend or repeal such laws.’Ndeitunga emphasised that the Police will continue to shut down illegal shebeens. Moreover, no drinking in public and outside bottle stores or licensed shebeens will be tolerated.The Inspector General further warned people who threaten or obstruct Police officers in the execution of their duties that ‘the Police will not tolerate such unlawful conduct’ and culprits will face the wrath of the law.A demonstration by shebeen owners scheduled for yesterday, today and tomorrow, did not take place yesterday.Negotiations between the Police, Khomas governor Samuel Nuuyoma and the shebeen owners were continuing, he said.Nuuyoma last night confirmed that talks were continuing. He did not want to comment further ‘until the negotiations are finalised’.