Crimes skyrocketing in Namibia

…as police record over 110 000 crimes

Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says the prevalence of crime in the country remains a matter of serious concern.

This comes after the police recorded a total of 110 551 criminal cases during the last financial year of 2023/2024.

Shikongo said this at the official opening of the Namibian Police senior command conference of 2024 at Ongwediva on Monday.

These cases include robberies, rape and violence against women, children and other forms of domestic violence, murder, theft of motor vehicles and livestock, dealing in drugs, housebreaking and theft.

“The most affected regions were the Khomas region, being the highest with 32,5% of the total reported crimes, followed by the Oshana, Otjozondjupa and Erongo regions with 11,3%, 8,3% and 8%, respectively,” he said.

Shikongo added that Kavango West, Kunene and Omaheke were the least affected regions with 1,5%, 3% and 3%, respectively.
“It can be understood, however, that there are so many dynamics involved in influencing the level of crime in each region. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that the senior command conference for this year has indeed come at the right time, when we need to revisit our strategies of combating crime,” Shikongo said.

‘POOR POLICE SERVICE’

Shikongo said that apart from crimes, his office is frequently inundated with complaints that some police officers are delivering ‘poor police service’, particularly at charge offices and investigation units.

“Some of these members tend to be self-appointed bosses, who show no respect, politeness, friendliness or compassion to our clients in providing policing services. We should, therefore, device strategies to address these types of irresponsible conduct,” he advised.

However, Shikongo said budgetary constraints are affecting police operations.

“During our five days of deliberations, we will be considering issues that are hampering us in fighting crime, and adopt resolutions which will enable us to unlock the gravitational centre of crimes,” Shikongo said.

FORCE BOOST

Speaking at the same event, minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Albert Kawana said he is fully aware that in the past, the police have faced a number of challenges.

He said these challenges range from a lack of transport due to aging fleets, limited promotion opportunities due to the gap between inspector and chief inspector, lack of police accommodation, lack of rations and lack of uniforms.

“I am very grateful that the government was able to financially meet us halfway. With the allocated additional financial resources, we were able to purchase additional vehicles, and able to close the gap,” Kawana said.

“We were able to promote more than 7 000 police officers, the largest promotion in the history of the force. We were also able to train slightly more than 1 000 police officers,” he added.

Kawana said next month, the force will start training about 1 700 new recruits.

“Unfortunately, this will not make a dent to the strength of the force [sic] due to the high staff turnover,” the minister said.