Elundu police post a ‘shrine of revolution’

It is indeed an honour for me to be here today, to officiate at this auspicious occasion – the inauguration of the Elundu police post, here in Omundaungilo constituency in the Ohangwena region. 

Given the historical significance of this area, allow me to request all of you to rise and observe a moment of silence in honour of our gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives during the national liberation struggle for the independence of our Land of the Brave, Namibia.

Before I proceed further, I would like to acknowledge the presence of special guests, which include former members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) and former commanders and fighters, especially those who were operating from this former front. 

Given the significance of Elundu, we made an effort to invite former Plan commanders and those who were operating from this former front. I would like to single out comrades such as minister Erkki Nghimtina, major general Charles Namoloh, former member of parliament (MP) and former minister of safety and security in absentia, former deputy minister of defence Billy William Mwaningange, lieutenant general Martin Shalli, former chief of the Namibian Defence Force, commissioner Elisa Elia Haulyondjaba, comrade Samuel Maxwilili, comrade Ikokonane William Kenyata, comrade Martha Mbandeka, comrade Festus Shikongo ‘Nehale Lyokoshandi’, and comrade major general David Mbandeka.

I thank you, most sincerely, for accepting our invitation. We are very happy that you are in our midst at this shrine of our revolution. It is regrettable that some of the former Plan combatants who were part of the military operation during the capture of Van der Messh from the Zambezi region, who I should have invited, such as the late comrade Martin Masiye Mutanimiye and the late comrade John Sinvula, passed on in subsequent military operations. May their souls rest in eternal peace. 

I would like to thank the honourable governor for welcoming us to this great region.

Equally, I would like to recognise the presence of all the distinguished guests for having found time in their busy schedules to witness this outstanding milestone with us. I am particularly happy to have in our midst a representative of a special Namibian citizen, Meekulu Martha Mwadinhomo yaKristian Nelumbu, the queen of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority. We are extremely happy to see the representative of Meekulu.

Following my appointment as minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security in April 2021, I undertook border inspection along the Namibia/Angola border in August 2021.

When I visited the Elundu post, I found my comrades living in old tents and with limited facilities. I pledged that I would endeavour to improve the conditions of this post. I went back to Windhoek and started planning. We were able to source prefab building materials from Swakop Uranium with the assistance of Zhao Weiping, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Namibia. 

In addition, we were able to source cement from Cheetah Cement, 200 bags, Ohorongo Cement, 200 bags, and Megabuild Group of Pupketwitz, 200 bags. 

I came back here on 25 July 2023 for the groundbreaking ceremony. I came back again in June to monitor the progress of the project. Today, 24 October 2024, I am extremely happy to be here for the fourth time to finally inaugurate the Elundu police post.

Elundu is one of those places which takes patriotic Namibians down memory lane. As one of our heroes stated, slavery and death are the same thing. These words were said by one of our heroes of Namibia, none other than King Mandume ya Ndemufayo. 

Indeed, he showed us the path to freedom by not surrendering to the enemy. He showed us the spirit of letting us die fighting. Our national liberation struggle was long and bitter, said another icon and hero of Namibia, the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo. 

I deliberately chose to build this special project here at Elundu because of its special history in our struggle for national liberation.

During the armed struggle for national liberation, many battles took place in this area. Our gallant freedom fighters, members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan), fought many battles in this area. They captured a member of the apartheid South African army by the name of Van der Messh during the battle that was commanded by the late ‘Danger’ Ruben Ashipala, may his soul rest in eternal peace. 

Therefore, this place is one of the shrines of our revolution. We salute our gallant Plan fighters; they fought tough battles so that today, we can proudly say Namibia is a free and sovereign country which has taken its place among the free nations of the world. To those who made sacrifices, we say: Their blood waters our freedom.

I am particularly pleased to state that our ministry maintains a healthy relationship with the business community, as well as with our community. Today, we have those who are coming to our assistance, such as the financing of a police station at DRC in the Erongo region and Oshakati in the Oshana region. 

Therefore, today, we salute Zhao Weiping, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Namibia, we salute Swakop Uranium, we salute you, Qui Bin, the chief executive of Swakop Uranium, we salute Cheetah Cement, we salute you, Kevin Lee, the managing director of Cheetah Cement, we salute you, Ohorongo Cement, we salute Hans-Wilhelm Schutte, the managing director of Ohorongo Cement, and we salute Pupkewitz and Megabuild Group, we salute Martin Schoeman, the managing director of Pupkewitz and Megabuild Group. 

Allow me once again to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to all those who have made a generous donation to the projects of our ministry. Allow me to use this opportunity to call upon good Samaritans to donate more building materials for the construction of police accommodation.

I am pleased to note that the government of the Republic of Namibia continues to prioritise infrastructure development for all government offices, ministries and agencies, and the Namibian Police is no exception.

Henceforth, the construction of police facilities such as the one we are inaugurating here today, is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to its resolution of ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to our people.

The Namibian Police are entrusted with the immense responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the Republic of Namibia, in other words, preserving the internal security of Namibia, maintaining law and order and protecting lives and properties, among others.

In respect of these mammoth tasks and the determination to ensure that Namibia enjoys peace and stability, our government has particularly placed the affairs of the Namibian Police among its top priorities. The government is therefore making a tangible and long-lasting contribution to our country’s progress towards becoming a prosperous nation, enjoying peace and political stability, in line with our development goals, as outlined in Vision 2030, the National Development Plans, and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

You will agree with me that our government has attached immense importance to the safety and security sector, as the Cabinet has positioned safety and security in fourth place on the list of national priorities in our Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5).

The police post we are inaugurating here today is more than just a structure, it is a symbol of hope, a beacon of security, and a pillar of support to the residents of Omundaungilo constituency. It will serve as a place where the community can turn to for assistance, where justice will be upheld, and where the values of our nation — peace, unity, stability and solidarity — will be reinforced. 

To the officers who will be stationed here, I urge you to serve with integrity, dedication, and a deep sense of responsibility. Remember that you are the guardians of the trust the people have placed in you. The community looks up to you for protection and support, and it is through your tireless efforts that we can build a safer and more secure society. Let the spirit of the liberation struggle inspire you to continue working diligently for the safety and security of all Namibians.

Our mission to build a safer Namibia requires the active participation of all stakeholders – the government, the private sector, traditional leaders, and community members alike.

As we celebrate this milestone, I call upon the people of Omundaungilo to join hands with the Namibian Police in the fight against crime, and to foster a culture of lawfulness and mutual respect. By working together, we can ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought for our independence were not in vain, and that the peace they longed for becomes a lasting reality in our daily lives.

The main components of this police post include the construction of prefabricated structures of two barracks, with 10 rooms for men and six rooms for women, a charge office, a recreational area, a kitchen, a dining hall, a security fence, one borehole with a solar-powered pump, a water stand, a water tank with the capacity of 10 000 litres, and one septic tank. 

The total cost of this project is N$7 736 446.26.

Allow me to register my disappointment with the trend of crime, which is very disturbing in our country. 

Official national statistics, particularly on gender-based violence reported to the Namibian Police, show that crimes committed against women and children are on the increase, and the Ohangwena region is one of the regions with the highest reported cases of gender-based violence. It is therefore my submission that stakeholders take a holistic approach in addressing this phenomenon. I therefore call on traditional and church leaders and the community to support the Namibian Police in its quest to combat crime.

As I conclude, I wish to once again express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has played a role in making this day possible: our political leaders, the Namibian Police, our private sector partners, our traditional leaders, our religious leaders, our community leaders, and every person who has supported this endeavour.

May this police post serve as a lasting symbol of our collective commitment to the safety, security, and unity of our beloved nation.

With these words, I now have the honour and privilege to declare the Elundu police post officially inaugurated. – Minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Albert Kawana at the official inauguration of the Elundu police post, 24 October 2024.