Suzith Tjitaura
KEETMANSHOOP – A 60-year-old woman is set to appear in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court today after drugs worth over N$1.3 million were allegedly found in her possession at the Ariamsvlei border post.
Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said the woman was arrested around 22h00 on Monday, allegedly with crystal meth in her possession.
“Officials at the border searched a woman who entered the country from South Africa, and found two parcels of a clear, unidentified substance suspected to be crystal meth. Drug law-enforcement officers were summoned, and with the assistance of female NamRA officials, a thorough search was conducted, and similar parcels were found hidden on her body and in her luggage,” she said.
The drugs, with a weight of 2 635 grams, have an estimated street value of N$1 317 500.
The woman faces a charge of dealing in prohibited, dangerous, dependence-producing substances.
Shikwambi expressed concern over the rising trend of drug use and trafficking in Namibia, and called for collaboration in the fight against drugs.
“We have become serious addicts or users and dealers of drugs. This is a very serious concern that requires collaboration if we want to assist ourselves as a nation, and especially save our children. Whether in small or huge quantities, it is a serious concern. Now, we even have mothers, who are our elders, mentors and educators, dealing in drugs. It is very worrisome,” she stressed.
Police investigations into the matter continue.
Divine intervention
With the southern town fast becoming a hotspot for criminal activities and gangsterism, Keetmanshoop residents gathered in the town’s central park on Sunday for a prayer meeting aimed at addressing the rise in violent crimes.
According to information provided to Nampa by the police, crimes such as murder, attempted murder and robbery saw a significant increase during the 2024/25 festive season, with many incidents reported in Keetmanshoop.
Town mayor Annelize Knaus urged the residents to find solutions to the increase in crime in the southern town, instead of standing by and using social media to air their concerns.
“The time has come for us to rise. Let us stand together as a united community, and stand up against the darkness that is trying to overshadow our peace. Yes, it is easy to post and share your concerns on social media, but let us be part of the solution. Let us show up for one another, just as we are here; let us walk the talk to the change we want,” she stressed.
The mayor thanked the residents for turning up in big numbers and being part of the event.
“Your presence here this evening is a testament to the collective spirit of our community, and I believe that together, we can make a difference. We are here to pray for peace, for
the safety of our families, and the future of all our children,” said Knaus.
Chairperson of the National Youth Council for the Keetmanshoop Urban constituency, Ronald Freyer, urged political leaders, teachers and traditional and religious leaders to identify young people within the community who need special guidance and programmes that will help them in skills development.
“Identify youth that need uplifting in the community. We have different programmes that will run for the next five years, and these programmes have the potential to create jobs among young people. This will help to eradicate the problem we are sitting with today of high violent crimes among young people,” said Freyer.
The prayer meeting was attended by various pastors who led the prayers, //Kharas governor Aletha Frederick, local authority councillors, and residents.
-Nampa