By Anna Shilongo
WINDHOEK
The Deputy Mi-nister of Safety and Security, Gabes Shihepo, has urged police officers to take stock of what they have done during the year to determine whether the aspirations of the public were met.
Shihepo encouraged the police to come up with strategies that would ensure that law and order, and protection of lives and property of the inhabitants and visitors to the country are maintained, especially during the festive season.
He made these remarks during the just-ended police conference on crime mitigation in the country.
The conference, which was attended by most of the senior officers in the Namibian Police, also noted the security impact the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the African Cup of Nations in Angola would have on the SADC region.
The conference reiterated the Namibian Police’s preparedness to maintain tight security during the events, said Shihepo.
Deliberations took place on the enforcement strategies for the Li-quor Act, Firearms and Ammunition Act, Explosives Control Act and the Money Laundering Act. It was resolved that the Namibian Police should strictly enforce prescribed operating hours for liquor outlets.
“It noted with concern that most crimes take place at liquor outlets, especially when people are under the influence of alcohol,” he said.
The conference also noted the negative impact the HIV/Aids pandemic has on its members’ health and performance and called for continued implementation and intensification of the force’s action plan on the scourge.
The current political developments in the country were also noted.
“We call on all Namibian and other residents to be vigilant and cooperative with law enforcement agencies and avoid all elements that may lead to a threat to the internal security or create instability,” Shihepo said.
In addition, the conference stressed strict adherence, by all members of the force, to rules and regulations in order to maintain discipline in the force.
It also took note of the civil claims against the force as a result of
unprofessional actions by some members such as unlawful arrests.
Thus, the conference resolved that a sensitisation campaign among members regarding rules of engagement should be intensified to minimise or avoid such claims in future.
Speaking at the same occasion, Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, applauded his commanders for successes scored especially in incidents of serious crimes such as armed robberies and murder.
Some of the successes he singled out were the neutralisation of the suspects of an armed robbery at Woermann & Brock, the apprehension of suspects in the armed robberies targeting Standard Bank, Heja Lodge suspects and the arrest of the Kenyan national who is being charged with killing his wife and dismembering her body at Grootfontein.
“I also commend the commanders and members who took part in the pursuit and re-arrest of suspects in the bank robbery, the Kareeboomvloer murder and murder and rape case suspects who escaped from the Windhoek Central Prison,” said Ndeitunga.
With the “limited budget” allocation to the Namibian Police, the conference called on officers to re-prioritise the police budget to meet all their needs.