Plans to build a new hospital in the constituency of Katutura Central are on the table.

Katutura Central constituency councillor Ambrosius Kandjii made the announcement at a community meeting on Sunday while addressing a crowd of more than 100 residents.

Kandjii also announced the dates set for the Katutura Expo from August 1 to 5.

At the same meeting, residents were informed by the Namibian Police that they can now earn money by reporting illegal acts within the constituency.

The Police highlighted crimes such as illegal gambling, music pirating, the illegal sale of alcohol and the sale of drugs as problems in the community.

"Let's fight crime together. I will pay you if you bring me information regarding a crime, provided such information is timely, valid and continuous. Such information should lead me to arrest someone," said the Police Commissioner for the Khomas Region, Festus Shilongo.

Shilongo assured residents that their identities would be kept secret and thus they should not be afraid to come forth with information that may help the Police in curbing crime in the constituency.

He especially warned house owners illegally selling alcohol from their homes to stop it or face the wrath of the law.

"I want to remind those selling alcohol at home without the necessary papers that what they are doing makes them criminals. Go and close that business now before I come and close it for you. I am going to arrest you and take your alcohol," he warned.

Close to 50 000 people live in the Katutura Central constituency, which has almost 300 shebeens and bars. Community members at the meeting complained especially of the continuous noise that comes from such shebeens at night, saying it infringed on their rights as house owners in the area. The Police vowed to work together with such house owners to ensure their rights are not infringed upon.

In addition, a stern warning was issued to those involved in the illegal act of pirating music and movies, as well as those buying such material.

"We will come to your house in a legal manner and check whether all the DVDs in your house are original. If we find that you own pirated material, we will arrest you. Owning pirated material is a crime," said Commissioner Shilongo.

He said the Police have teamed up with the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) to curb piracy in the constituency.

"I have pledged to transform the Khomas Region into a safe place. If you are unemployed, start today to report crimes to the Police," he said.

Councillor Kandjii reported last year that since the launch of the crime prevention campaign by the Police in July that year, crime had decreased drastically by 40 per cent in his constituency.

He said the decrease was largely due to restrictions on the operating hours of shebeens at areas such as Herero Mall and regular Police patrols.