After having delivered our petition to the Mayor of Swakopmund, the Station Commander of Swakopmund NAMPOL as well as the Senior Prosecutor, we received no acknowledgment from them so we then delivered our petition to the Governor, Police Commissioner of Erongo and various other officials in February this year. We have even sent the petition to the Minister of Justice! We still haven't even had one official acknowledge the petition. In the meantime, crime continues at an alarming rate. Who would you suggest we next approach? The President?
The petition has now reached over 8300 signatures and we thank each and every one for signing. Please continue to pass the petition to your friends and loved ones, maybe when we reach 10000 someone might listen and take the matter seriously.
Here is my letter to Commissioner Gerber:
"Dear Commissioner Gerber,
I trust this mail finds you well.
Toward the end of January I was invited to an official NAMPOL Crime Statistics Feedback meeting which was scheduled to take place at the Tamariskia Town Hall. On the day of the meeting, the venue was changed to Auas Motors Showroom, in Swakopmund. I was informed that the purpose of this meeting would be for you to address the public giving feedback on the crime statistics of Swakopmund over the December holiday period. Unfortunately we were told at the meeting that you would not be able to make it and apologies were made for you.
In your absence, the Swakopmund Station Commander, Inspector Aebeb chaired the meeting. He praised the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch, Police Reservists and the NDF for a job well done and proudly told us that there were almost no crimes committed over the period, although he had no statistics to back up his statement. What was of great interest to me was when a new Officer, Constable Sisanda was introduced and given the floor to make a statement. She proudly told the members of the public that "We should get to know our neighbours and that in the event of a crime being committed, we should first contact our neighbours, to see if they can help. Should the neighbours not be able to assist, we should contact our own private security companies and/or the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch. As a last resort, we should contact NAMPOL". Would you agree with this statement that a NAMPOL Officer made to the public? She then went on to say that for our own safety, we should all join the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch as they act on behalf of NAMPOL. Is this true?
In September 2017, after the double homicide on the elderly Strzyleki couple at their home in Swakopmund, I organised a Silent Protest at the Magistrates Court in Swakopmund under the banner "A Peaceful Swakopmund for All" where more than 300 concerned residents attended and also handed in a petition to the Station Commander, Mayor of Swakopmund and Senior Prosecutor, with just over 700 signatures. Till today I have not had a response from these people. In the meantime, I went online with the petition and we have received just over 3200 signatures for the petition online from locals and visitors. I realise that I probably addressed the petition to the wrong people and would like to take this opportunity to address the petition to you Sir, the NAMPOL Commissioner of the Erongo Region. Please find the petition and signatures attached. You can also find the petition online at http://chng.it/RTSfd2ZgCh
To our shock and horror, two of the three murder suspects in the above case escaped from the Swakopmund Police Holding Cells on Monday last week. Sir, how is this even possible? We understand that they were in one cell, which is also not acceptable. As you can imagine, the Town of Swakopmund is in absolute fear since the escape and in disillusionment of our local Law Enforcement. We are told that they are understaffed, underpaid and under supplied. Private enterprise assists with petrol, batteries for vehicles, computers, stationery and a host of other things. In December I sponsored a toilet for the Swakopmund Road Block after I discovered that there was no ablution facility provided at all? How are people expected to work at a remote site without ablution facilities? This will encourage them to urinate in public, a criminal offence, although common practice in Namibia.
Sir, our local Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention units need serious reform. I would like to know from you what your plans are to bring the local police stations up to a standard that we expect from these departments. The general apathy seems contagious and the small handful of Officers who are trying to do their best seem to have their hands tied. We are told of incidents of tribalism and racism within the ranks, between Officers who are meant to work together, to serve and protect us, the citizens of this fine country.
I was even more shocked to discover that no photos (mugshots) are taken of suspects being booked in to the holding cells. This is something which is seriously needed as after the four murder suspects escaped, the only people who had photos of them were the local newspapers. This is an embarrassment to our Town and Region.
With all due respect, the community has lost faith in our local NAMPOL. The general consensus is that the local charge office is only good for certifying documents and issuing case record numbers for insurance claims. Very few crimes are actually ever reported because of this. Crimes against tourists almost never get reported. Unless a very serious crime has taken place or an insurance claim is needed, crimes don't get reported. This also begs the question, of all the crimes which are indeed reported, how many are ever solved? This can surely mean that the crime statistics are grossly underestimated. Just yesterday one of my employees was assaulted in broad daylight while taking a walk in Vineta. The two assailants attempted to steal his cellphone, but he managed to ward them off and they fled on foot. He sustained serious injuries to his hand as they stood on his hand while he was trying to pick up his phone, which they had knocked out his hand. He immediately went to the Charge Office in Town to report the incident and was met with apathy. There was no concern about his wounds nor any attempt to assist in taking a statement, which he needs for the insurance claim. The attending officer refused to take his sworn statement and after giving him a CR number on a torn out piece of paper, they just sent him on his way. He then went to our local hospital where he was told only a Doctor can fill out and sign his form and there wasn't one on duty and "come back tomorrow". It seems everywhere our country is falling apart, or is it only in Swakopmund? I have reported this matter to our local Public Police Protection Committee and they assure me they will look into the matter. It has been insinuated that these issues occur on a daily basis at the Charge Office.
Sir, that you for taking the time to read my lengthy report and I have only touched on a few issues of grave concern. There are many, many more. I do hope that you will find the time to reply and even more importantly, to address these issues, so that we, the residents of Swakopmund and citizens of the Erongo Region, can feel safe once again. Hopefully together, as a community and Nation, we can move forward in peace and harmony.
I hope you have a good day.
Best wishes,
Clinton Lang
Concerned Resident of Swakopmund and
Initiator of "A Peaceful Swakopmund for All" Petition "