Crime starts in Chinatown

Crime starts in Chinatown The inspector-general of the Namibian police, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitungu, has demanded a full-scale clean-up of Chinatowns countrywide specifically in the largest towns, saying they have become a breeding ground for criminal activity.

Speaking to Namibian Sun Ndeitunga he compared Windhoek''s Chinatown located in the northern industrial area to the Single Quarters prior to independence and said that it is a breeding nest for criminals.

He said that the problem with the entire setup is the fact that business are allowed on the ground floor while most business owners at Chinatown reside either in or above the retail space of their shops, which Ndeitunga said should not be the case in the first place.

“People should have their businesses far from their dwellings, to avoid illegal activity.”





According to Ndeitunga the police currently has information about on-going criminal activity at the Chinatown in Windhoek and therefore the current set-up and the design of these structures favours crime.

He said that some of the criminal activity that is currently happening at Chinatown are amongst others that shop owners are illegally exchanging forex, there are discussions involving poaching, drugs are being sold and large sums of money are hidden.

According to Ndeitunga some foreign nationals are taking advantage of Namibia''s need for investment.

“Poaching is becoming a major issue in this country and most of these culprits are foreigners who come here and pretend to be investors, whilst recruiting locals to do their dirty deeds for them.”

He said that the police have confirmed that most of the poachers are Asian nationals, who have made connections with locals within the African continent to enable them to acquire ivory.

“These individuals are tarnishing the names of those who want to do honest business in the country and should therefore be blacklisted to avoid an escalation of these crimes.”

He further expressed concern about the “nest” of criminal activity happening at Chinatown and called upon the City Of Windhoek to redesign the entire structure.

He said that he does not want the businesses to necessarily to be shut down, but he wants the sleeping quarters to be totally removed. “This is a criminal operation. My message is load and clear and stakeholders must take note.”

He said that other towns with similar Chinatowns must also take this into account.

There have been repeated raids by police at Chinatown over the years to check and confiscate expired passports, unlicensed shops and counterfeit goods.

Earlier this year police entered the Chinatown complex in Windhoek''s northern industrial area. However, their attempt at enforcing the law was foiled when shop owners abruptly closed their doors as the police arrived.

Chinatown has also been in the news over the years for repeatedly breaking labour laws in the country and forcing Namibians employed by Chinese shop owners to unknowingly carry their faeces.

ELLANIE SMIT