Africa-Press – Namibia. Inspector General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo has warned individuals involved in smuggling fuel at Oshikango to stop attacking and robbing Namibians at the border. “Behave at all times whenever you are trading. Don’t harm our people because they are innocent,” he stressed.
Shikongo was speaking to traders, predominantly from neigbouring Angola, at the Angola-Oshikango border, where they had gathered.
Victims have reported being stabbed, assaulted and robbed of money, cell phones and other valuables immediately after purchasing smuggled fuel.
Shikongo likewise engaged with community members from Oshikango and nearby villages to discuss the rapid increase in crime in the area.
The first community engagement was held at the Adolf location in the Oshana region on Friday.
Residents showed up in numbers to listen to the chief of police, ask questions, and share ideas about crime prevention.
Shikongo urged police officers to patrol the border and various locations in Oshikango regularly.
“I have noted that Oshikango is the most crime-prone area in the region. I want to see the police working hard to ensure people are safe in this area,” he emphasised.
The police chief said fuel smugglers at Oshikango have become increasingly aggressive towards Namibian law- enforcement officers whenever they are confronted during operations.
“They want to fight the officers, and this has now become a regular occurrence,” he added.
He noted that journalists taking photos and videos at the border are sometimes also threatened by traders involved in fuel smuggling.
“Fuel smugglers, armed with knives and pangas, now threaten to attack Namibian Police officers stationed along the Namibian-Angolan borderline near Oshikango. They also attack Namibian vehicles entering Angola,” he added.
The traders informed Shikongo that they are being attacked by fellow Angolans and Namibians in the bushes around Oshikango.
“We are also not safe. We lost our money after being robbed by Namibians,” said one fuel smuggler.
Shikongo told them that if they see anyone committing crimes at Oshikango, they must report it to the police.
“Don’t harm the person. Just organise yourself and call a police officer. You can help us fight crime in this area because you are always here trading,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Shikongo advised police officers to stop accepting bribes from community members, revealing that two officers from the Ohangwena region are currently in custody for bribery-related offences.
He said police officers embarrass him when they commit crimes.
“A police officer is required to be honest and protect people – not rob them of their property,” he added.
He then strongly cautioned community members to be vigilant against individuals falsely claiming to be prophets, warning that such people can cause disruption and chaos.
“You should refrain from keeping containers of smuggled fuel in your houses, or carrying them in vehicles because it’s dangerous,” he warned.
Lonia Nghina, a kapana seller and resident of Oshikango, thanked the Inspector General for the community engagement, saying it is the best way to combat crime.
“We need more of these engagements and operations at night,” she said.
Recruitment
Meanwhile, NamPol is set to recruit around new 2 000 cadets within the next two months.
Shikongo stated that this significant recruitment drive aims to boost NamPol’s commitment to enhancing safety and security across the nation, and to improve service delivery to communities.
He indicated that they intend to recruit around 140 members from the Men and Women Network to join the next intake, an increase from the previous 70 recruits.
“This network plays a crucial role in supporting us as law-enforcement at the grassroots’ level, and it will be befitting to bring them into the system,” he observed.
Previously, NamPol enlisted about 70 network members aged between 18 and 45. Recognising the growing need for community involvement, Shikongo said they intend to increase this intake to 10 members per region.
He furthermore mentioned the upcoming graduation ceremony for the current cohort of recruits, which is expected to take place this month.
Addressing the deeply-concerning issue of the recent murders of young children in Okahandja, Shikongo emphasised the vulnerability of children and the urgent need for their constant protection.
He urged the public to actively participate in maintaining law and order by becoming community police officers, and collectively combating social ills within their neighbourhoods and the wider country.
Speaking at the same occasion, Oshana governor Elia Irimari called on the residents of Adolf location to fight all social ills in the area.
He acknowledged the recent tragic incidents in Okahandja have deeply affected the entire nation,, where young lives, seen as future leaders, were lost.
Irimari expressed satisfaction at the large turnout of community members who were eager to discuss and address issues impacting their well-being during the engagement with the Inspector General.
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