Violence Against Women
Source: AllAfrica
THE Governor of the Karas Region, Bernadus Swartbooi, has expressed concern over the increase in violence against women and children.
Swartbooi made the remarks at the handover of N$355 000 by the business fraternity and individuals on behalf of the Karas Police to the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) games which will start on 19 August.
He referred to the recent murder of a 19-year-old woman, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her lover at Oujo, highlighted the need for the community to provide answers to arrest violence against women and children.
The suspect, who handed himself over to the police, is accused of murdering the woman while he was on bail for her son's murder.
Saying passion killing has become a "fashion", Swartbooi said: "We must ask harder questions about how hard we should be dealing with these criminals, such as whether arresting, sentencing and rehabilitating them is a deterrent. Are the current mechanisms of law-enforcement working to full satisfaction?"
Swartbooi urged magistrates and other judicial officers to carefully look at conditions they set when they grant suspects bail.
"The rule of law is important and should be abided to and enforced in the spirit the Parliament that passed it. The assailants have the right to be granted bail but on the other hand, the killing of women and children continues. What happened to the right of the victim's family?" Swartbooi asked warning that failure to consider all these aspects may result in people taking the law into their own hands.
Among the sponsors who supported SARPCCO games financially are Rosh Pinah businessman Ronnie Coleman, Puma Construction, PE Minerals, Super Sand, Noordoewer FNB branch, Brukaros Meat Processors, Karasburg Rob Motors and Noordoewer Oranje Winkel.
The governor also donated N$ 1000, five sheep and a springbok.
For his part, Coleman, who in the past, funded the construction of a new police station at Rosh Pinah, expressed gratitude to the police and the government for the "safety" they guarantee businessmen in the country.
"It's not always easy to contribute financially. With this gesture, I want to show my appreciation to the safe environment in which we can do business," said Coleman.
Speaking at the same event, police regional commander Armas Shivute said men and women in uniform must not soften their approach in dealing with criminals.
"Do not compromise our communities' safety by being courteous to criminals. Be assertive and offensive in your approach," Shivute urged.