Police enlist the help of village chiefs

THE Inspector General of the Namibian Police says his force will work more closely with village councillors and headmen this year to promote the idea of community policing.

In his New Year’s message, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga said that village councillors and headmen are in a good position to be familiar with the behaviour of members of their communities, and that the Police will take advantage of this situation in an effort to curb crime. Responding to a number of criticisms against the Namibian Police force last year, Ndeitunga said he did not share the belief that crime was spiralling out of control.”Citizens and residents of the Republic of Namibia need assurance that such is not the case, in essence crime is manageable,” he said.Ndeitunga, as well as Safety and Security Minister Peter Tsheehama, came under fire from several corners towards the end of last year due to a number of unsolved serious crimes, alleged crimes committed by Police officers, and the state of Police cells across the country.Tsheehama late last year replied to a scathing attack in the National Assembly from the official opposition party, the Congress of Democrats, which charged that he and the Police chief appeared to be unconcerned about a ministry “showing obvious signs of being in trouble”.The Minister said that, regardless of public perception, his force had always maintained a high clearance rate in serious offences such as murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault.”We have duties and responsibilities towards our people and they must be assured that their lives and properties are protected and safe,” Inspector General Ndeitunga concurred.”We shall carry out our duties diligently and ensure that peace and stability prevail in Namibia and our people live in harmony and not in fear,” he added of the year to come.He once again called on members of the public to assist the Police in solving crime this year by cooperating with investigators and providing information.”I recognise that the Namibian Police could not have had successful operations in 2006 if it had not been for the public’s support,” he said.Responding to a number of criticisms against the Namibian Police force last year, Ndeitunga said he did not share the belief that crime was spiralling out of control.”Citizens and residents of the Republic of Namibia need assurance that such is not the case, in essence crime is manageable,” he said.Ndeitunga, as well as Safety and Security Minister Peter Tsheehama, came under fire from several corners towards the end of last year due to a number of unsolved serious crimes, alleged crimes committed by Police officers, and the state of Police cells across the country.Tsheehama late last year replied to a scathing attack in the National Assembly from the official opposition party, the Congress of Democrats, which charged that he and the Police chief appeared to be unconcerned about a ministry “showing obvious signs of being in trouble”.The Minister said that, regardless of public perception, his force had always maintained a high clearance rate in serious offences such as murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault. “We have duties and responsibilities towards our people and they must be assured that their lives and properties are protected and safe,” Inspector General Ndeitunga concurred.”We shall carry out our duties diligently and ensure that peace and stability prevail in Namibia and our people live in harmony and not in fear,” he added of the year to come.He once again called on members of the public to assist the Police in solving crime this year by cooperating with investigators and providing information.”I recognise that the Namibian Police could not have had successful operations in 2006 if it had not been for the public’s support,” he said.