More than 200 reported missing since 2019
• Statistics likely inaccurate, ministry says
Most missing persons cases are opened in the Khomas Region, while just over 20% of these cases involve minors.
While more than 200 missing persons’ cases are on record with the Namibian Police since 2019, this data may be inaccurate as residents do not report back to police when a person is found.
Of 57 people reported missing until September, 20 were found - of which five were dead, police said.
According to statistics from the safety and security ministry, this represents a found rate of 35%, adding that approximately 22% of missing persons are minors.
Over the past five years, a total of 201 missing persons' cases have been reported to the police, the majority being from the Khomas Region, it said.
“The main challenge the police are faced with is that, in most cases, the public does not come back to the police station where they have reported a missing person to notify them whether the missing person was found, which renders the statistics inaccurate.”
Khomas tops list
Meanwhile, 26 cases were reported last year, while in 2021, a massive 69 cases were reported. In 2020, only 20 cases were reported, while in 2019 saw a total of 29 cases reported.
Over the five-year period, there were 104 missing persons cases in the Khomas Region, while Erongo reported 26 and Oshana 17.
The regions with the fewest cases were Zambezi and Kavango East, with only one report each.
Making a report
“Generally, members of the public can report missing persons at any police station in all 14 regions.”
When a missing person is reported, details of the missing person - including his or her picture – are required and recorded by an officer, it said.
“Such information is recorded in a missing person register and the individual who made the report is required to provide a statement on the circumstances in which the person went missing. A file is normally opened and handed over to an officer.”
The ministry explained that this officer will then gather more information on the matter from witnesses and provide it to the public relations division to share with the media.
Of 57 people reported missing until September, 20 were found - of which five were dead, police said.
According to statistics from the safety and security ministry, this represents a found rate of 35%, adding that approximately 22% of missing persons are minors.
Over the past five years, a total of 201 missing persons' cases have been reported to the police, the majority being from the Khomas Region, it said.
“The main challenge the police are faced with is that, in most cases, the public does not come back to the police station where they have reported a missing person to notify them whether the missing person was found, which renders the statistics inaccurate.”
Khomas tops list
Meanwhile, 26 cases were reported last year, while in 2021, a massive 69 cases were reported. In 2020, only 20 cases were reported, while in 2019 saw a total of 29 cases reported.
Over the five-year period, there were 104 missing persons cases in the Khomas Region, while Erongo reported 26 and Oshana 17.
The regions with the fewest cases were Zambezi and Kavango East, with only one report each.
Making a report
“Generally, members of the public can report missing persons at any police station in all 14 regions.”
When a missing person is reported, details of the missing person - including his or her picture – are required and recorded by an officer, it said.
“Such information is recorded in a missing person register and the individual who made the report is required to provide a statement on the circumstances in which the person went missing. A file is normally opened and handed over to an officer.”
The ministry explained that this officer will then gather more information on the matter from witnesses and provide it to the public relations division to share with the media.
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