Rehoboth community petitions against illicit drugs and alcohol trade

The Rehoboth community is currently petitioning against the trade of illicit drugs and alcohol, through an initiative titled ‘Clean Up Our Streets: A Call on Police to Act Against Illicit Drug and Alcohol Trade’.

Levina Negongo, social worker and anti-drug community activist, said this week the petition aims to give people the opportunity to raise their voices against illegal drug dealing and alcohol abuse at the town.

“By signing this petition, we request increased police visibility and law enforcement in the region and town to curb illicit drug trafficking, alcohol and drug abuse. The community of Rehoboth demands from the Namibian Police and judicial system an effective system in place to support the community to avoid moral decay … Failure to enforce the law results in increased criminality, violence and poverty,” Negongo said.

Negongo said the community would like to see various measures enforced such as random and regular roadblocks at the town’s exit and entry points, randomised checks on private and public vehicles coming to and going from Rehoboth, the use of sniffer dogs and subjecting suspected or alleged drug dealers to regular searches.

“We want the identity of drug dealers to be revealed to the public for the community to deter illegal operations. We feel that it is important for random and regular searches to be conducted in town areas focusing on young boys and girls who might be runners of drug dealers. We want the immediate closure of unlicenced and illegal shebeens. We encourage the establishment of neighbourhood watches in all blocks or neighbourhoods of Rehoboth and surrounding areas, including Banhoff. We want the issue of police officers colluding with drug dealers [dealt with] to ensure law enforcement remains part of the solution, not the community’s problem,” she said.

Negongo said the community deserves to feel safe, protected and free from the harmful effects of illegal drug and alcohol trade.

“When enforcement fails to act, criminal activity grows, trust erodes and our future is put at risk. It’s time for change,” Negongo said.