Ombudsman calls for solutions to holding cells overcrowding

Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha says overcrowding is a major concern in police holding cells in the Oshana, Oshikoto and Zambezi regions, to the extent that inmates are sleeping on top of each other.

The Office of the Ombudsman discovered these challenges during his visit to eight regions in northern Namibia to inspect the current state of police holding facilities and the detention conditions of trial-awaiting detainees, as well as the care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses and disabilities in these holding cells.

The other areas visited include the Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East and Kavango West regions.

Dyakugha, who was accompanied by investigation staff, senior police officials, a psychiatrist and a legal expert from the disability council, concluded the visit in the Zambezi region on Friday.

Dyakugha told The Namibian yesterday that the inmate cells are extremely overcrowded, especially at Omuthiya Police Station and Oshakati Police Station, which have over 800 inmates at the moment.

Meanwhile, the Katima Mulilo Police Station has over 280 inmates in holding cells meant to keep 80 inmates at a time.

“There’s no space, resulting in inmates now sleeping on top of each other. It’s an administrative issue that needs to be urgently addressed by relevant stakeholders. Cases take too long to be finalised, people are not released on bail and investigations are prolonged. It also takes a long time for inmates to go for mental observation. If these issues are resolved, then the cells will not be so overcrowded,” he said.

According to Dyakugha, at the Oshakati, Omuthiya and Ngoma police stations, hygiene and the kitchens are in a poor condition.

He added that the Katima Mulilo Police Station has undergone minor renovations to address the poor hygiene, overflowing sewage problems and infrastructure challenges.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security is currently building a state-of-the-art police station at Katima Mulilo to address the overcrowding of cells and other challenges,” he said.

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المصدر: The Namibian