A total of eight thousand and one hundred agents from different branches of the Ministry of the Interior, in Benguela, have been, since Friday the 22nd, mobilized to ensure the festive season (Christmas and New Year’s Eve).).
Constantino Eduardo, in Benguela
The MININT delegate and provincial commander of the National Police, Commissioner Aristófanes dos Santos, expressed the desire to expand proximity techniques, thus strengthening the relationship of trust between the Police and citizens.
Speaking at the act that marked the practical beginning of the launch of forces to ensure the festive season, Commissioner Aristófanes dos Santos once again placed the emphasis on the issue of respect for the fundamental rights of citizens by the corporation’s agents. For that high-ranking member of the National Police, acts that undermine this aim tarnish, to a certain extent, the good name of the institution.
To the 8,100 agents from different branches of MININT, commander Aristófane dos Santos warned anyone who acts outside the established rules risks disciplinary and criminal liability.
In fact, on this last subject, in order to support his thesis, he illustrated those present at UPIP with some figures produced during the year.
“From a disciplinary point of view, we registered the opening of 363 investigation processes with the conclusion of 204 disciplinary processes of a diverse nature, involving officers, chiefs and agents from various bodies, such as the National Police with 298, SIC 16, SME with 8, Civil Protection Service with 20 and Penitentiary Service with 21”, he said.
However, despite the numerous difficulties that the corporation has been facing, he recognizes, the Police in Benguela presents itself as a strong, cohesive and zealous organization, which is why it is a source of pride for the people.
“In this festive season, we will continue to reinforce the guarantee of maintaining order and security for all citizens, through the improvement and expansion of the police network in all municipalities, communes and neighborhoods and, above all, in the peri-urban area. We will seek to reinforce and expand proximity techniques, thus strengthening the relationship of trust between the Police and citizens”, he projects. According to Aristófane dos Santos, with the gesture, the aim is to establish a feeling of security among the population.
Referring to numbers produced in the period between January and November 2023, Aristófane dos Santos highlights that, from a crime point of view, a total of 7,085 crimes were recorded, 3,073 of which were clarified, resulting in the arrest of 2,734 people.
With regard to road accidents and their consequences, the commander reports that the data points to the record of 1,003 road accidents that “caused 230 fatalities and 1,234 serious and minor injuries. The numbers referenced here reflect well our productivity, as we have been increasing several actions with a view to discouraging the practice of crimes, with foot and motorized patrols directed, above all, to areas prone to the commission of crimes”, he explains.
As for more direct MININT bodies and executives in the province, the senior official highlighted, at the SIC level, the opening of 8,269 cases, 1825 of which involved prisoners.
“3958 cases were instructed and concluded and sent to the justice bodies. The SME (Migration and Foreigners Services) has the registration and control of 1455 foreign citizens, including 110 with work visas, 111 with temporary stay visas, 44 as refugees, 371 asylum seekers, as well as 76 with resident cards”, he reveals.
In relation to the penitentiary service at the provincial level, the delegate reports the control of 1747 inmates, of which 643 are in pre-trial detention and 1054 are convicted.
“With regard to the Civil Protection and Fire Service, 3002 incidents were recorded, with emphasis on (for) 86 fires that caused material damage valued at over 145 million kwanzas”, points out that senior officer.
At the forces presentation ceremony, more than 80 personnel were commissioned. Throughout the year, 724 employees were hired and graduated, thus reducing the gap in employees with more than 10 years without promotion – according to data made available.