The Omuthiya Police Station ‘ s holding cells are full to capacity , with 100 inmates forced into one cell . This came to light on Wednesday during the Child Care and Protection Forum ‘ s second meeting held in Omuthiya . Chief Inspector Melchizedek Hango of the Namibian Police Force ‘ s department responding to gender – based violence in the Oshikoto Region , said they arrest around 50 suspects per month . Hango reported that a cell that was meant to accommodate eight inmates how holds 100 inmates . ‘ Our holding cells are full to capacity as we continue to bring in new inmates because of the high volume of crimes that they are committing ,’ he said . Hango added that the inmates are amongst others suspects in stock theft , rape , and housebreaking cases . He said that a total number of 507 inmates are currently accommodated in the Omuthiya Police Station holding cells and the number increases on a daily basis . ‘ The holding cells are only supposed to hold 70 inmates in total , but we have no other choice
,’ Hango said . At the same occasion , the Division of Gender Equality , Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare ( DGEPESW ) Chief Social Worker , Frieda Kadhepa said a total of 130 children reached throughout April to July 2024 had survived numerous forms of domestic violence . ‘ Of these , 42 children are survivors of neglect , 43 children survived sexual abuse , 23 children survived physical abuse and 22 children emotional abuse ,’ said Kadhepa . The meeting was attended by NamPol , DGEPESW , and life skills teachers from schools in Oshikoto ‘ s Omuthiya Constituency who reported some of the issues they identified as challenges that threatened the wellbeing of children , to address .
Source:The Namibia News Agency