Loide Jason
Heather Erdmann
Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo has taken direct control of tourist safety, moving the Tourism Protection Unit from the regional level to the highest office in the police with immediate effect.
Shikongo said the move is aimed at improving the safety of tourists and protecting the country’s image as a safe travel destination.
He made the announcement yesterday morning during a parade at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police Training College in Windhoek, unveiling a strengthened, fully resourced unit now operating under his office and reinforced with 11 additional officers drawn from across the police force.
The unit was previously operating under the Khomas Regional Office with only four members.
“This temporary alignment is intended to strengthen command and control, improve coordination at the national level, and ensure a uniform operational approach in the protection of tourists and tourism-related sites across the country,” he said.
The unit will be headed by Chief Inspector Christina Van-Dunem Da Fonsech, whom Shikongo described as an experienced and capable officer. “These officers have been selected based on experience, professionalism, integrity and suitability for the specialised nature of tourism protection,” Shikongo said.
He said the Tourism Protection Unit is responsible for preventing, investigating and responding to crimes affecting tourists and tourism facilities, including theft, fraud, robbery, scams and assaults.
“The subdivision ensures a secure and welcoming environment for both domestic and international tourists through rapid response, professional investigations, stakeholder cooperation and proactive crime prevention initiatives,” he said. Shikongo added that crimes targeting tourists, including online scams where fake Namibian agents defraud visitors abroad, damage the country’s reputation and must be dealt with decisively.
“There are people who are scammed by so-called agents in Namibia while sitting in Europe or elsewhere. That is something affecting the image of this Republic, and we cannot allow it to continue,” he said.
Further, the unit’s duties will include visible patrols at airports, hotels, lodges, shopping malls and major tourist attractions.
To support the unit, Shikongo announced the immediate allocation of resources, including two vehicles, bicycles, protective equipment, two computers and communication tools. He also revealed that 10 motorbikes worth about €210,000, roughly N$4 million, were donated to the police by a Russian billionaire, Rashid Sardarov, and will partly be used by the Tourism Protection Unit.
“These donations are made without any conditions. They are State property and will be registered and accounted for properly,” Shikongo said.
The unit will work closely with key stakeholders, including the Tourism Board, Namibia Wildlife Resorts, tour operators, the City Police and the tourism ministry.
“Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. We cannot work in silos,” the police chief said.
Shikongo warned police officers assigned to the unit to uphold discipline, integrity and respect for human rights at all times, saying misconduct within the force will not be tolerated.
Operation
The announcement also coincided with the conclusion of a nationwide crime prevention operation conducted from 30 January to 2 February 2026.
The operation, code-named ‘Walya shakakodhi tala pombada’, was carried out simultaneously across all 14 regions in response to rising criminal activities, including aggravated robberies, illicit drug dealing, stock theft, poaching and financial crimes. Police conducted intensified urban and rural foot and vehicle patrols, riverbed searches, traffic law enforcement, liquor act enforcement and surveillance at shopping centres and automated teller machines.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 212 suspects for various minor and serious offences. Drugs valued at N$90 840 were confiscated, while illicit goods, including fuel, cigarettes and alcohol worth N$163 813 were recovered. Police also recovered suspected stolen property valued at N$84 500.
Traffic law enforcement during the operation resulted in summonses amounting to N$562 250. In addition, 15 unlicensed firearms were confiscated, while two were seized for safekeeping. Twelve cases of stock theft were also recorded.
Additionally, Shikongo also revealed that he has consulted his legal team on possible ways to expand the operational jurisdiction of the City Police beyond the city’s borders, partly to enhance the protection of tourists and citizens.
– ljason@nepc.com.na