Police discourage retailers, employees from recording suspected shoplifters

National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi advises retail stores and their employees against taking videos of suspected shoplifters.

She says although there is no law that prohibits the taking of photos or videos, such actions have potential repercussions, such as jeopardising investigations.

This comes after a video trended showing a young man at a local clothing store in Windhoek’s Katutura complex area, removing two pairs of jeans he had folded into his trousers on Sunday.

The value of the jeans has not been established.

“What is questionable is the intent, what the person intends to use the footage for.
There may be no specific legislation against it,” she says.

Shikwambi says it can damage a person’s image and reputation, even if the action being recorded is wrong.

Exposing someone publicly can have serious and regrettable consequences, she adds.

Shikwambi says it is best to address the wrongdoing privately and establish the facts surrounding why the act was committed.

“If there is evidence of criminality, then appropriate police action should be taken against the individual,” she says.

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