WAITING lists and limited beds at the psychiatric ward of the Windhoek State Hospital are one of the factors which have kept a 23-year-old disabled man behind bars since October last year.

Vincent Jan Awaseb, a deaf-mute man, was arrested last year on a charge of malicious damage to property and assault by threat, after his mother complained to the Police about his violent behaviour at home.

He has since been in custody at the Grootfontein Police Station, where he is awaiting transfer to the psychiatric unit in Windhoek.

In November 2009, the Grootfontein Magistrate's Court denied him bail and Awaseb was referred for mental observation at the Windhoek State Hospital.

Although he has been on the waiting list since November, it is not clear when there will be a slot open for him at the psychiatric ward.

A health worker at the ward told The Namibian that they have only seven beds available, and that the observation time frame for patients is 30 days.

This has caused a backlog and patients who were put on the waiting list in August last year were only admitted in January.

At this rate, Awaseb will probably only be admitted in March or April at the earliest.

Another issue that worsens the backlog is that the hospital "struggles with the Police".

"When the patients are finished, the Police can take up to two weeks to collect them," the heath worker said.

During that time, new patients cannot be admitted.

Unless that report is produced at his next court appearance on February 26, Awaseb will most likely remain in custody. A court official however said that if the observation report is not available, the magistrate's court could review the case.

According to a family member of Awaseb, he arrived at his mother's house drunk and unruly.

"He brought the wrong friends home, and they drank and smoked and he began a fight with his mother. She was frightened and called the Police."

Although Awaseb is unable to talk, he can apparently communicate in writing, but the family member said that it is difficult to communicate with him.