Public, businesses urged to call on police when transporting large sums of cash

The Namibian Police have urged the public and businesses to collaborate with law enforcement authorities when transporting large amounts of money.

This was said by police inspector general Joseph Shikongo at the opening of a five-day training course on succession and career development at Swakopmund on Tuesday.

Shikongo said communication between the police and communities is vital to prevent robberies and ensure public safety.

Reflecting on a recent incident in which a woman in Windhoek was robbed of N$400 000 in cash, Shikongo said the case highlights the need for increased cooperation between the police and the public.

“We suspect that the perpetrators followed the victim for some time, meaning they had inside information. This incident should serve as a stark reminder that we need to strengthen communication between our communities and the police. We can no longer allow individuals to lose large sums of money due to preventable security lapses.”

Shikongo underscored that the police are fully committed to supporting people who need assistance when moving large amounts of cash, and urged business owners and the public to reach out to the police in such cases.

“Our police force is ready to assist, without hesitation, to ensure the safety and security of all Namibians. People are losing money every day, and as a nation we cannot continue to entertain this.”

He also pointed to the strong track record of police-assisted transits when it comes to the security of state funds, noting that no government vehicles transporting money have ever been involved in robberies. However, individuals and private security companies have become frequent targets.

“Security companies and individuals are often attacked. We must ask whether these incidents are being carried out with insider assistance,” Shikongo said.

Furthermore, amid rising global threats like cybercrime and technological advancements, Shikongo emphasised the need for the police to adopt a forward-thinking and innovative leadership approach.

With technological advancements transforming the nature of crime, the Namibian Police must remain adaptable and innovative to protect the public and maintain law and order in the face of growing cybercrime threats and increasing public expectations, Shikongo said.

The course is being attended by 21 senior police officers.

It focuses on leadership development, succession planning and career growth strategies, helping participants navigate the shifting landscape of modern policing.