Police in the Ohangwena Region have expressed concern over the rising number of suicide cases and other serious crimes recorded in the region over the past three years.

Police Commander Ottilie Kashuupulwa says 189 suicide cases were recorded since 2023, of which 37 are this year alone.

Commissioner Kashuupulwa was speaking on the sidelines of the police meeting with church leaders at Eenhana, which focused on suicide, rape, stock theft, domestic violence and noise pollution, reportedly caused by some churches.

She said 722 rape cases have been recorded over the past three years, of which 117 have been reported this year.

Some of the suspects, Commissioner Kashuupulwa said, involve Angolan nationals employed as domestic workers.

Fathers and uncles, as well as some church pastors, have also been implicated in rape cases.

"The incidence of crime, particularly domestic violence, is alarmingly high. We must also discuss cases of rape, which are prevalent in the region. Some of the individuals involved in these cases include pastors who exploit their positions. They promise victims that if they engage in sexual relations, they will either marry them, become wealthy, or receive healing. In such situations, true consent to the sexual act cannot be said to exist, as it is based solely on the false promises made by these pastors."

Kashuupulwa said the region needs to collectively address sexual violence and its underlying causes.

Police have also recorded 127 stock theft cases this year, bringing the total number of cases since 2023 to 765.

The high demand for meat is one of the factors said to be contributing to stock theft.

Domestic violence cases reported this year stand at 201. 

Kashuupulwa called on churches to work together with the police and other stakeholders to tackle these challenges.