WINDHOEK – Members of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) yesterday gathered in the capital to discuss ways to enhance regional efforts to combat cross-border and trans-national crimes.
The 19th annual SARPCCO technical organ meeting, which sits from May 21-23, include delegates from SARPCCO members Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, at the opening ceremony, Khomas Regional Commander Major- General Desideruis Shilunga said: “Delegates will deliberate on important activities of SARPCCO and explore initiatives that will make regional organisations become vibrant and relevant to the needs of the people.”
He added: “You are also expected to revisit regional policing strategies and techniques, so as to assist each other’s policing organisations in our respective countries to effectively combat cross-border and trans-national crimes.”
Shilunga noted that through regional gatherings, police organisations from respective countries have been able to positively exchange experiences and best practices.
“These meetings have also provided opportunities for members of the technical organs to work together and build consensus on how best to implement the resolutions passed by police chiefs,” he said, adding that “these are all essentials that signify how important these types of meeting are”.
The mjaor-general expressed confidence that the technical organs meeting held in Windhoek in March had taken stock of the number of resolutions passed during the last SARPCCO extraordinary meeting as well as the progress report.
In her vote of thanks, SARPCCO incoming chairperson, Lesotho Deputy Commissioner Bohang-Lintle Phasumane assured delegates that security in Maseru was under control despite tense relations between the police and members of the Lesotho Defence Force.
“Although the situation is still tense between the Lesotho Police Force and the Lesotho Defence Force, I assure you that the situation is under control. We have identified the perpetrators and we are due to make arrests soon,” she said.
Namibia is the current chair of SARPCCO.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa