Ondangwa – AJ Panelbeating and Spray-Painting, in partnership with Dichen Trading, last week handed over a police vehicle which they had repaired at a cost of N$18 000.

Oshana police Deputy Commissioner Nico Steemkamp, who received the vehicle on behalf of the police, said the vehicle crashed while pursuing suspects involved in an armed robbery.

“We appreciate the good partnership, and what you have done for the Namibian Police,” he said.

Oshana police commander Sackaria Lungameni said police-public partnerships are vital in combating crime, and speaks to the call that policing should not be left to the police alone.

“When the police are visible, when the police are mobile, we increase patrols, and as a result we deter criminal activities,” he said.

Because of police visibility, the region has seen a steady decrease in crimes targeting businesses such as in-breaks into business premises.

Lungameni said because of the many successes realised due to police visibility, it remains important for the business community to come on board and assist the police where it can because the procurement process in NamPol is quite cumbersome, and repairing of vehicles takes some time.

The regional commander further praised the business community for continuously coming to aid the police.

“It’s a 50/50 situation. When policing is effective and when there is security in the region, it attracts investment,” the regional commander said.

Speaking on behalf of the companies that repaired the vehicle, Pinehas Nakanduungile said the gesture extended to the police is their way of giving back to the community.

“We are just giving back to the community that is sustaining us,” he said.

-Nuusita Ashipala is an information officer with MICT in Oshana.