KAHENGE – The Kahenge police are now housed in a new accommodation facility, after a long period of waiting. The Kahenge police station, situated some 120 kilometres west of Rundu, serves a community of more than 35 000 people living in the surrounding areas.
The new 16 police barracks for male officers are complete with a kitchen, recreational area, parking bays and a 30 000-litre petrol tank with a canopy. It was built at a cost of N$7.6 million. Before the facilities were constructed, fuel used to be transported to Kahenge from Rundu in drums – a dangerous practice when considering the volatility of fuel.
The Deputy Inspector General for Administration, Major General James Tjivikua, said the police face a huge challenge when it comes to the provision of housing and office accommodation.
“The force has so many members within the lower ranks who are suffering due to a lack of housing accommodation coupled with exorbitant rental fees,” he said. With the cost of living skyrocketing on a daily basis, Tjivikua said: “Facilities such as these barracks will greatly contribute to better the living standards of our members.”
The new facilities are a clear indication of government’s commitment to ensure that the living standards of police officers are taken care, said Minister of Safety and Security, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, during the inauguration ceremony.
“It is therefore my conviction that with the availability of these facilities, the police officers will be able to execute their duties diligently and improve on service delivery to the community of Kahenge and surrounding areas,” said Ngatjizeko.
Ngatjizeko raised his concern that Namibia has become a consumer of illegal drugs nowadays. “I call upon the Namibian Police Force to continue doing its level best in combating the menace of drug abuse by carrying out educational campaigns on the effects of illicit drugs, to ensure that drugs are confiscated and perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted for their evil deeds,” he said.
The minister urged the public to take part in community policing because “it will assist in protecting lives and properties through cooperation between communities and the police”.
Tjivikua said the police would continue with its countrywide projects to ensure that accommodation challenges facing the force become a thing of the past.
He also stated that the members who will be accommodated in the newly-constructed barracks will be encouraged to work harder since they are now privileged to be housed in decent accommodation.
By Mathias Haufiku