Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Police say they are requesting identification documents at Kongola checkpoints for those exiting the Zambezi region in order to curb increasing cross-border crimes.
This came after an article published by The Namibian last week, titled ‘Zambezi residents treated like foreigners’, reported on some residents who complained about being required to produce their ID card when using public transport to travel.
The police say cross-border crimes range from stock theft, human trafficking, asylum seekers, piece workers (Zambian cattle herders), as well as the smuggling of contraband such as black-market cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, skin lightening creams, clothing, produce harvested in Zambia which includes vegetables, dry fish, devil’s claw, and wildlife products like elephant tusks and rhino horns.
National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said the Zambezi region frequently experiences cross-border crime because it is the only region bordered by four countries, namely Angola, Zambia, Botswana and a portion of Zimbabwe.
“Therefore, the Kongola road traffic check point (RTCP) contributes to successfully curbing these criminal activities. Additionally, through the security check at the Kongola checkpoint, various foreign nationals, including Zambians, Tanzanians and Zimbabweans were arrested there and deported due to lack of documents, while others were arrested for overstaying,” she said.
She further noted that security checks at traffic checkpoints across the country are necessary and remain the regional commander’s prerogative to effectively strategise and curb criminal activities.
“The RTCPs are not set up or established to punish anyone, but simply to ensure law and order, safety and security. As law enforcers, we do not discriminate on how we conduct our operations. However, each region conducts their operations using their discretion, and depending on the challenges and imminent threats the region is faced with,” she said.
According to Shikwambi, they always do their best to ensure that they protect the life and property of all citizens, as well as maintain law and order across the country, while respecting people’s rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution, particularly the right to freedom of movement.
“It must be understood that the law enforcers at the checkpoint are simply executing their tasks, they are courteously requesting people to provide the necessary permits and ID cards as a means of proactive policing and a crime prevention measure,” she said.
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