Police confiscate thousands of weapons
Thousands of dangerous weapons have been confiscated by the police in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay.
Warrant Officer Illeni Shapumba says the majority of these weapons were confiscated from minors under the age of 18. These weapons included pepper spray, kitchen knives, pocket knives, pangas, forks, garage/alarm remotes, firearms, toy guns, scissors, screwdrivers, hammers, golf clubs and sheep shears.
“These weapons were confiscated not from houses, but on a random stop and search basis, during the early hours of the morning,” Shapumba said.
He said most of the weapons were confiscated in areas such as Mondesa and Kuisebmond.
“There are people walking around at night grabbing cellphones and valuables. These weapons are used to assault and rob people. We cannot allow these things to happen as if there is no authority present. There is an authority. We want to advise the public to not walk at night and avoid dark areas.”
He said since the police had started these operations, there had been a decrease in robbery and assault cases, particularly in Mondesa and Kuisebmond.
“We assume that these unlicensed firearms, knives and these other weapons are carried with the intent to commit a crime.”
Shapumba explained that toy guns are used to frighten people to hand over their valuables.
He also mentioned that there had been an increase in burglaries at the coast, which were also reduced through these operations.
“The items that are mostly targeted include electronics such as cellphones, laptops and flat-screen TVs but these items disappear into thin air. This means that the market is us, the community members.
“The public is very quick to alert us or give us information on serious crimes, but it is very hard for us to get information about items stolen during housebreakings from the public.”
LEANDREA LOUW
Warrant Officer Illeni Shapumba says the majority of these weapons were confiscated from minors under the age of 18. These weapons included pepper spray, kitchen knives, pocket knives, pangas, forks, garage/alarm remotes, firearms, toy guns, scissors, screwdrivers, hammers, golf clubs and sheep shears.
“These weapons were confiscated not from houses, but on a random stop and search basis, during the early hours of the morning,” Shapumba said.
He said most of the weapons were confiscated in areas such as Mondesa and Kuisebmond.
“There are people walking around at night grabbing cellphones and valuables. These weapons are used to assault and rob people. We cannot allow these things to happen as if there is no authority present. There is an authority. We want to advise the public to not walk at night and avoid dark areas.”
He said since the police had started these operations, there had been a decrease in robbery and assault cases, particularly in Mondesa and Kuisebmond.
“We assume that these unlicensed firearms, knives and these other weapons are carried with the intent to commit a crime.”
Shapumba explained that toy guns are used to frighten people to hand over their valuables.
He also mentioned that there had been an increase in burglaries at the coast, which were also reduced through these operations.
“The items that are mostly targeted include electronics such as cellphones, laptops and flat-screen TVs but these items disappear into thin air. This means that the market is us, the community members.
“The public is very quick to alert us or give us information on serious crimes, but it is very hard for us to get information about items stolen during housebreakings from the public.”
LEANDREA LOUW
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