Namibia continues to grapple with a persistent wave of violent crimes. 

This concerning and growing trend poses serious imputation for the country’s unity, safety and economic development. 

The rise of such crimes not only threatens citizens’ lives but also corrodes public confidence in law enforcement, discourages foreign investment, and hampers socio-economic development (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2023). 

As a developing nation striving for socio-economic stability and sustainable development, Namibia cannot afford to treat these criminal activities as business as usual. 

While the efforts of the Namibian Police and other law enforcement agencies, such as Municipal Police and private security companies in maintaining law and order are duly acknowledged, it is increasingly evident that a more comprehensive and integrative approach to fighting violent crime is imperative. 

Contextual Framework 

On 16 April 2025, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Digital News reported that the Head of Nampol’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) conceded that limited progress has been achieved in resolving some of the nation’s most harrowing and protracted murder cases. 

This admission followed a report in The Namibian dated 14 April 2025, which relayed the anguish of the family of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, who was raped and murdered in Okahandja on 21 March 2025. 

With the perpetrator still at large, the family expressed diminishing trust in the capacity of Nampol to apprehend criminals to face justice. 

The Maasdorp case is not isolated. Namibia has witnessed several unresolved and distressing incidents, such as the mutilation and death of Oswyn Myne Seibeb in Karibib (2022) and the dismemberment of Avihe Ujaha in Windhoek (2018). 

Other prominentcasesincludethe unsolved murder of high school learner Magdalena Stoffels (2010) and the disappearance of Mandela Nakale in Lüderitz (2020). 

Perhaps the most notorious of these unresolved crimes is the B1 Butcher case, also known as the ‘Khomas Ripper’, where at least five women were murdered and dismembered between 2005 and 2007. 

Despite investigative efforts and public outcry, the suspect remains unarrested (Shihepo, 2022), raising critical concerns about the effectiveness of the national criminal justice framework. 

Gruesomely, while the nation remains engulfed in collective grief and horror over the recent Maasdorp case, another deeply unsettling tragedy has emerged. 

The lifeless body of six-year-old Rosalind Dinelao Fabian, who was reported missing on 25 April 2025 from her school in Okahandja, was discovered behind the Veddersdal cemetery. 

This harrowing development has intensified national outrage and sorrow, compounding a climate of fear and devastation. 

The brutal nature of these incidents demands urgent and uncompromising societal, institutional and legal responses to violent crimes. 

The weight of statistical evidence 

The gravity of the situation is further shadowed by national crime statistics. 

Data released by Nampol in 2024 revealed that 110 551 criminal cases were reported during the 2023/2024 financial year. 

These included cases of murder, rape, domestic violence, robbery, vehicle and livestock theft, drug trafficking and housebreaking. 

The Khomas region recorded the highest crime rate, accounting for 32.5% of total cases, followed by Oshana (11.3%), Otjozondjupa (8.3%) and Erongo (8%). The regions with the lowest reported crime rates were Kavango West (1.5%), Kunene (3%) and Omaheke (3%) (Vatileni, 2024). These figures accentuate the urgent need to bolster Namibia’s national security and public safety mechanisms, particularly in high-risk regions. 

Institutional and community challenges 

While the Namibian government has consistently allocated a fair portion of the national budget to the security sector, gaps in technical capacity, forensic technology and skilled personnel have impeded law enforcement effectiveness. 

Investigating violent crimes is inherently challenging, as it often requires piecing together fragmented evidence, interpreting forensics and reconstructing crime scenes without eyewitnesses or direct surveillance. It demands a high level of expertise, cutting edge investigative tools and well resourced, motivated teams (Interpol, 2023). 

As criminal activities become increasingly sophisticated, law enforcement agencies must evolve in tandem to remain effective. 

On the community level, while many citizens actively cooperate with police efforts, a segment of the population remains hesitant or unwilling to engage due to fear, mistrust or misdirected loyalty. 

This reluctance hinders the criminal justice system and, in some cases, facilitates the protection of potential criminals. However, crime prevention is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement. 

Under the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and the Police Act 19 of 1990, Namibian citizens are legally mandated to assist in crime prevention and law enforcement. 

Furthermore, community police partnerships have been globally recognised as essential elements of successful crime prevention strategies (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2023). 

A call for government support 

Going forward, the Namibian government must prioritise the strategic development of its state security and investigative agencies. 

This includes investment in capacity building initiatives, procurement of advanced investigative equipment, promotion of inter-agency coordination, crime intelligence and nurturing of community-based policing models. 

Restoring public trust in the justice system requires a commitment to transparency, accountability and effective service delivery from law enforcement bodies. 

While unconstructive criticism of Nampol should be avoided, it is crucial to acknowledge and address genuine concerns, such as resource constraints, inconsistent service delivery and internal morale challenges. 

These issues must be met with practical, reform-driven solutions that are both people-centred and results-oriented. 

To end, despite operating under often challenging conditions, Nampol and other law enforcement agencies deserve recognition for their ongoing commitment to national safety as some notable criminals have been brought to books. 

To the dedicated police officers in service, your resilience and dedication in the fight against crime are commendable and highly valued. 

To the citizens of Namibia, national security is a shared responsibility. 

Let us stand together in partnership and solidarity with law enforcement agencies to build a safer, more just society for all. 

God bless the Republic of Namibia. 

*Munyungano Musisanyani is a multidisciplinary columnist and food security activist with an interest for social justice and human relations. He can be reached on reaganmusisanyani@gmail.com