Police on high alert

POLICE are on high alert to ensure the safety of the nation after the unions yesterday declared an illegal countrywide strike of security guards.

Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu informed The Namibian that all regional commanders had been informed about the strike and that they must reinforce staff to ensure that no person’s safety is compromised. “We have taken cognisance of the strike and the regional commanders were instructed to put measures in place that will not compromise the safety of the nation,” Amulungu said.Several institutions that make use of private security companies were concerned that the strike may compromise the safety of their personnel and equipment.”We have recently seen an increase in the theft of computers and laptops and are concerned about the negative impact the strike might have on our company,” said one company spokesperson.The City Police had not announced any special patrols by yesterday afternoon.Its spokesperson, Marx Hipandwa, said he had not been informed about any increased patrols in the City and was not able to comment.Shop owners were concerned that the no-show of security guards might result in a free-for-all for robbers and thugs.”We will assess the situation first thing tomorrow morning before deciding what action to take.We hope that the letters given to securities by their employers (reminding that it was an illegal strike) will have a positive impact,” said one bank spokesperson.Many institutions hire security companies to protect their premises.The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) said it would only know the impact of the illegal strike today, although their clients had been warned about it.Negotiations between SAN and the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) broke down last week after the security companies said they were unable to meet the union’s demands.”We have taken cognisance of the strike and the regional commanders were instructed to put measures in place that will not compromise the safety of the nation,” Amulungu said.Several institutions that make use of private security companies were concerned that the strike may compromise the safety of their personnel and equipment.”We have recently seen an increase in the theft of computers and laptops and are concerned about the negative impact the strike might have on our company,” said one company spokesperson.The City Police had not announced any special patrols by yesterday afternoon.Its spokesperson, Marx Hipandwa, said he had not been informed about any increased patrols in the City and was not able to comment.Shop owners were concerned that the no-show of security guards might result in a free-for-all for robbers and thugs.”We will assess the situation first thing tomorrow morning before deciding what action to take.We hope that the letters given to securities by their employers (reminding that it was an illegal strike) will have a positive impact,” said one bank spokesperson.Many institutions hire security companies to protect their premises.The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) said it would only know the impact of the illegal strike today, although their clients had been warned about it.Negotiations between SAN and the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) broke down last week after the security companies said they were unable to meet the union’s demands.