Africa-Press – Namibia. The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in Oshana has confiscated over 776 000 litres of illegal fuel between January 2024 and May 2025 with an estimated retail value of N$17 million.
Oshana crime investigations coordinator Fredrick Ndjadila in an interview with Nampa last week said the confiscation of such a large volume of fuel suggests a well-established network of smugglers and distributors operating in the area.
“We are busy with operations to crack down on illegal fuel trade across the region,” he stated.
Ndjadila said the operation is being conducted through an inside route and nearby villages where traders easily smuggle fuel into other regions.
“In most cases, the fuel is being smuggled in containers. That has become the most common mode of operation,” he added.
He noted that fuel is smuggled through various entrances, such as Omuungwelume-Oshikuku, Oshakati–Endola, Ongwediva-Ongha and Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa, as well as other ungazetted points of entry.
Ndjadila said those are not the only porous borders – they are not limited and have become a challenge to control.
He said six vehicles used in the trading of smuggled fuel were forfeited to the State following the finalisation of cases.
Ndjadila noted that the fuel that is confiscated is disposed of by the mines and energy ministry.
Headache
Police in Ohangwena have since 2023 arrested 234 individuals involved in the alleged trading of illegal fuel and smuggling of contraband.
This was revealed by Ohangwena police commander Ottilie Kashuupulwa in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday.
She said the current situation is worrying, as the illicit activities have become the norm within the region.
“It is an everyday situation – and mind you, this is their daily bread. It has become difficult to control,” she stated.
Kashuupulwa added that controlling illegal trading activities directly at the border, particularly fuel smuggling, has become a primary challenge for law enforcement, as traders often flee back to the Angolan side of the fence when they spot the police, making arrests difficult.
Despite continuous efforts and arrests, the illegal trade persists.
“Some of the people are dealers. We arrest and charge them according to the Petroleum Act,” she said.
Kashuupulwa noted that all confiscated products are kept at a storage facility within the region before being collected by the mines and energy minister.
“We are trying to use the resources at our disposal to ensure that we enforce the law and put an end to the illegal activities occurring along the border areas. This, however, requires cooperation not only from the police but the leadership of the two sister countries,” she added.
Kashuupulwa stated that illegal trading requires strong measures to be put in place to the benefit of both countries.
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