Oshikoto Governor, Penda Ya Ndakolo during his State of Region Address (SORA) on Wednesday morning at Omuthiya, attributed the increased rape cases and road accidents in the region to alcohol abuse, as well as reckless and negligent driving.

Ya Ndakolo said he was disheartened to note that most of the criminal activities which were recorded by the police in the Oshikoto Region had a human element, fuelled by the abuse of alcohol and negligence.

He listed rape incidents, road accidents, housebreakings, general theft, negligent driving and culpable homicides as some of the top ten criminal charges which are stated in the police occurrence books and are reported regularly at different police stations in the region.

A total of 207 crashes were recorded between 2021 and 2022 in Oshikoto, of which 452 people had sustained serious to slight injuries, while 49 lives were lost in those accidents, he said.

“Crimes against women and children, especially rape cases, are regrettably on the increase, ladies and gentlemen, from 12 per cent in 2021 to 20 per cent at the moment,” he said.

He then strongly urged motorists to adhere to the road traffic signs, rules and regulations in order to curb road accidents.

Ya Ndakolo also urged the general public to work closely with the police on rape cases, and report the perpetrators immediately, saying these incidents are taking place in their communities and in most cases, the victims are always familiar with the suspects.

The 2022 SORA was attended by the Chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, Samuel Shivute and several other local authority councillors from Tsumeb, Omuthiya and Oniipa town councils.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency