Droves of Keetmanshoop residents have gone on social media, expressing concern over the alleged spiralling of crime fuelled by gangsterism in the town.
They attribute the worsening crime situation since the start of the festive season, which includes two murders, to a lack of police visibility.
Residents have suggested the need to deploy the Police Special Reserve Force on their streets.
||Kharas Police Commander, Marius Katamila, dismissed claims that crime was spiralling out of control, saying the region is renowned for having some of the lowest crime rates.
Commissioner Katamila furthermore expressed disappointment in the community for turning to social media to address issues instead of approaching the police for a solution.
"Please do not go to social media. We are not hiding from the community. We're here. We stand in service of the community of ||Kharas Region. That's why we are here. And we are paid. We get that salary to make sure that we do our duties. But if people are reporting matters on social media, it is taking it out of proportion. Some of the allegations that were made by people on social media include, among others, people who are not even residents of Keetmanshoop."
Commissioner Katamila stated that during the 2023 festive season, police arrested most of the gang kingpins.
However, many of them were released after serving jail time and have returned to terrorising the community.
The regional police commander acknowledged that certain crimes, like rape, can only be addressed once committed.
"Police respond afterwards because we're not present when the crime is committed. And unfortunately, police cannot be in every situation 24/7. That's impossible, but we're doing the best of our ability. And to demonstrate that the police have been active over the festive season, here is a display of dangerous weapons that were confiscated by police on patrol. Incidentally, it should be noted that most of the knives are not knives confiscated from the gangsters; they were knives that were confiscated from our young sons and daughters arming themselves allegedly for protection against the gangs."
Gangsterism, Katamila stated, takes root in the town because of drugs and results in fighting among rival gangs over territories where drugs are sold.
He reported that police confiscated drugs worth N$8 million on three different occasions over the festive season.
This, he added, demonstrates that police are hard at work to cut down on the operations of drug lords.
The ||Kharas Police festive season crime statistics show two reported murder cases in the region, both at Keetmanshoop, along with three attempted murders, 25 robberies, 28 assault GBH cases, 15 domestic violence cases, two rape charges, and 16 housebreaking cases.
The commissioner said one of the murder cases appeared gang-related.
Responding to the call for the deployment of the Special Reserve Force members, he said those members are mostly deployed in riot cases and extraordinary circumstances.