Namibian President Hage Geingob on Wednesday called for public cooperation in efforts to rid the country of gender-based violence (GBV).
The president was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute.
“Over the past two decades, our country has experienced some gruesome murders, mainly perpetrated against women,” he said.
“These murders are a blight on our society and pose a threat to the peace and harmony we have enjoyed across the country, since independence. Therefore, Government will not rest and will leave no stone unturned in pursuing efforts to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to book.”
Geingob noted that the perpetrators of the crimes were part of the Namibian community, and with help from the public, could be brought to justice.
He also urged the police to increase their efforts in the fight against crime in the Southern African country.
“I call upon all stakeholders and peace-loving Namibians to join forces with the law enforcement agencies in the fight against such inhumane deeds. Let us hold hands, fight crimes and make Namibia safe for everybody. The police must redouble their efforts to prevent crime and to solve crimes swiftly,” he said.
President Geingob also called upon the judiciary not to offer any leniency to criminals who perpetrated heinous acts that threatened national cohesion and stability.
The president’s comments come following public outrage over the latest murder of a 22-year-old, Shannon Wasserfall, whose body was found in the dunes of the port town of Walvis Bay.
Hundreds of protesters marched in Windhoek earlier this month to demand justice for Wasserfall’s family and an end to gender-based violence in Namibia.
