ν Albertina Nakale

KATIMA MULILO – Zambezi police commander Andreas Shilelo has expressed concern over the high number of criminal cases in the region during the past two financial years.

Shilelo, who launched the festive season’s regional policing operation on the Katima-Ngoma Road Monday, revealed that a total of 1 013 cases were recorded during the festive season in respect of the 2021/22 financial year. 

“However, the crime rate increased by 10.5% in respect of the 2022/23 festive season as the region recorded 1 120 cases. With this operation, the police will establish a solid cooperation, with all stakeholders aiming to reduce crime and create a more vibrant and safer public environment,” he said.

On traffic-related matters, he indicated that in the 2021/22 festive season, the region recorded 22 motor vehicle accidents, of which one accident was serious, while 21 were minor accidents.

Equally, in the 2022/23 festive season, the region recorded 43 accidents of which four were fatal, 33 were serious and six were minor.

The police regional festive season operations are conducted on a yearly basis during the end of the year and the beginning of the new year. 

According to him, the primary aim is to prevent crime, regulate the movement of people and goods and enhance public safety in line with the mandate and mission of the Namibian Police Force, which is to maintain law and order, and to deliver quality law enforcement services to the public.

Shilelo called on law enforcement officials participating in the operation to be patient, accountable and polite, as well as have empathy and demonstrate integrity.

During the same event, Kabbe North councillor Bernard Sisamu cautioned drivers to exercise patience on national roads to avoid road crashes.

“Our law enforcement agencies will discourage speeding. You find that our people want to fly with cars. Someone wants to drive a distance from Katima to Ngoma, which is 55km, only within 30 minutes. And that is speeding. I am happy this operation will be throughout the day and night,” he stressed.

The national festive season road safety campaign was launched by the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force Joseph Shikongo at Swakopmund Roadblock in the Erongo region on 17 November.

The campaign is expected to run until 17 January 2024.

- anakale@nepc.com.na

Caption: 

Ready… The security cluster and members of the community during the launch of the Zambezi festive season operation. 

Photo: Albertina Nakale