By William J. Mbangula Oshakati The Women and child Protection Unit of the Namibian Police has embarked on a drive to establish regional management committees, which will advise it on matters relating to its operations in dealing with domestic violence. The Unit Management Committee (UMC) will comprise of heads of government institutions, NGOs, church and traditional leaders. As part of the beginning of this initiative, a two-day workshop to sensitise stakeholders started yesterday. According to the National Coordinator of the Women and Child Protection Unit (WACPU) Chief Inspector Rosalia Shatilwe, the workshop will come up with an umbrella body that will be entrusted with all technical support to ensure the policy of multidisciplinary approach, to discuss the terms of reference for the WACPU, to outline the mandate and obligations of the members to serve on the committee and to foster stronger relationships among various stakeholders. In his opening remarks, the Governor of Oshana region Clemens Kashuupulwa urged participants and members of the public to join hands with the police to stamp out all criminal activities in society. “Remember that criminals live among us. “They are our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, nieces, nephews and yet we tolerate them even to the extent of condoning and buying stolen property from them.” The governor noted that as far as the Oshana Regional Council (ORC) is concerned, it has declared war on criminals where the police have made significant achievements to root out criminal activities. As part of the campaign to eradicate crime in the society, the governor noted that ORC envisages a five-year strategic plan for 2006-2010 in which community policing has been identified as one of the priority areas that will be tackled in cooperation with grassroots level communities and the police. He told the gathering, which included the Police commander in the Oshana region Deputy Commissioner Joseph Anghuwo, the District Crime Coordinator Chief Inspector Golden Naanda and Chief Herman Iipumbu of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority among others, that criminal activities by unpatriotic elements in society are totally unacceptable and should be condemned by all peace loving Namibians. The governor noted: “Crimes committed against women and children, armed robberies, rape, drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption, just to mention a few are sabotaging the government’s concerted efforts aimed at achieving harmony and tranquillity for the sake of the upliftment of the living standards of our people and attainment of Vision 2030.”