Several residents of the municipal hostel for contract workers in Katutura were knifed, apparently by black policemen of the Special Constables, in incidents during May. Two of those wounded were hospitalised in a serious condition.
While it was uncertain exactly how the disturbances began, it has been clear for some considerable time that the deployment of Special Constables in the compound to maintain order, keep a check on illegal residents, etc., is a source of great friction and tension among residents. The Special Constables, comprised of Ovambo tribal police under the command of white South African policemen, were introduced into the Katutura hostel on a permanent basis in August 1980. Rumours have recently been circulating among hostel residents that some of the Special Constables are in fact members of the elite police counterinsurgency unit, Koevoet ('Crowbar'), who have been seconded to Windhoek from the north.
According to one local journalist, 'there is little doubt that these men, whether they be members of the Police, the Army, Koevoet or whatever, seriously intimidate residents of the "compound" rather than providing a protection service. Their presence there makes the "compound" appear even more bleak, and more like a prison than a place of residence for contract workers'.
According to eyewitnesses of the events on 8 May, several off-duty Special Constables were present in the compound, wearing civilian clothes but all in possession of knives. One newspaper report said that the constables had told some of the hostel residents to stand in a row so that they could be searched. While this was going on, one of the residents fell forward with a stab wound, having apparently been knifed by one of the constables. Several people were injured in the scuffle that followed. Other residents were beaten up when black and white police, armed and in camouflage uniforms, arrived to reinforce the constabulary.
Two newspaper reporters subsequently witnessed hostel residents being beaten by Special Constables with rifle-butts and sticks, as they arrived back at the compound gates after work.
