Month: September 2023

The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo officially opened the first police training course for 2023/24 at the Ruben ‘Danger’ Ashipala Police Training Centre in Ondangwa on Monday.

Shikongo during the official opening said the recruitment of 841 cadet constables is a timely response to the urgent need for additional personnel within the force.

The new recruits attending the training course for a period of nine months consist of 572 and 269 females, recruited from all 14 regions.

“The first eight months will be theoretical and physical activities at the training centre, while the last month will be for work-integrated learning at different police stations in all regions,” he said.

Shikongo said policing is a profession that requires unwavering commitment, as well as genuine passion to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

He indicated that the training will equip the cadet constables with the necessary skills, knowledge and values to become guardians of justice, pillars of society and protectors of peace and security.

He further said that in order to fill the void in the police force, a total of 28 000 men and women officers are required countrywide to ensure safety and security in the country.

Upon completion, 100 cadet constables will be sent to the Border Guard infrastructure protection directorate.

The event was attended by the regional commanders of Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto.

Deputy Commissioner Nico Steenkamp represented Oshana Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria who is in Cairo, Egypt.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Derek Klazen, has called for patience from the fishing industry to allow the conducting of pre-licensing investigations.

Klazen said that these pre-licensing procedures are crucial in avoiding the fishing licensing of vessels linked to Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing.

The minister, during a gala dinner hosted by the National Fish Consumption Promotion Trust at Walvis Bay on Saturday, said the ministry is aware of the uncertainty and unhappiness within the industry about the period it takes to provide a clear perspective on these investigations.

“IUU fishing activities remain a great threat to global efforts to sustainably manage fisheries resources both within maritime boundaries and within inland water bodies,” he said.

Namibia, as a country of laws, processes and systems, views the curtailing of IUU as an essential weapon in the fight towards ensuring that fisheries resources feed not only the current generation, but also those to come.

Klazen added that the gallant efforts by fisheries inspectors, fish guards and law enforcement agencies are pivotal for the protection of jobs and fisheries niche markets everywhere.

“As a country, we must display vigour, ingenuity and strategy when battling IUU fishing activities, especially when vessels suspected of having participated in illegal fishing activities are besieging us for licensing and wishing to start with fishing operations in Namibia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

He added that the licensing of a vessel is invariably preceded by an investigation and these investigations typically take time to complete as Namibia relies not only on its own systems, but may also require the assistance of neigbouring coastal states.

“I do understand that patience might be difficult to exercise, especially in the face of loss of income and when salaries and employment are delayed, but we must bear this in order to allow for our due process,” he pleaded.

Research conducted by Global Fishing Watch in 2022 indicates that IUU fishing accounts for as much as 20 per cent of the global seafood catch, with annual losses valued at up to US.dollars 23.5 billion.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

Namibia lost 623 lives to suicide between August 2022 and June 2023, with 511 of these individuals being men, accounting for 82 per cent of the total.

This was revealed by Minister of Health and Social Service, Kalumbi Shangula during the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day here on Monday, themed ‘Creating Hope Through Action.’

Shangula said amongst the suicides, 3.2 per cent were youth. He said the suicide rate stands at 21 per 100 000 population, with the highest number of suicides experienced in the Omusati, Oshikoto and Hardap regions.

“These numbers confirm that suicide is a major public health concern in Namibia and must serve as a call to action to prevent further incidences of suicide,” the minister said.

The ministry, he noted, has established a National Suicide Prevention and Treatment Action Group with a multi-sectoral approach aimed at ensuring collaboration between service providers in the prevention and treatment of suicide as well as developing guidelines, mobilising resources and implementation of programmes.

He indicated that scientific data has shown that there is an association between suicide and mental disorders, such as depression and alcohol-induced disorders. This includes impulsive actions in moments of crisis when individuals struggle to cope with life stresses such as financial problems, relationship break-ups, or chronic pain and illness.

Shangula further noted that the suicide rate is also high amongst those dealing with substance abuse, chronic health issues, persistent pain or physical disability, feelings of isolation or helplessness and negative life events, and vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees, migrants and prisoners.

“A crucial part of suicide prevention is addressing the stigma associated with mental disorders that in turn trigger suicide. Often, such individuals do not seek help out of fear of being judged, stigmatised, or being labelled, especially with respect to men. Talking about and admitting to suicide ideation is perceived as a sign of weakness,” he indicated.

Shangula also said the prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health concern and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss it.

Raising community awareness and breaking down the taboo is important for Namibia to make progress in preventing suicide, the minister concluded.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

A group of people was on Friday allegedly attacked by three armed men inside their house at Ongwediva and robbed of property valued at N.dollars 29 000.

According to a crime report issued on Sunday by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), the incident occurred around 23h00 when two of the suspects allegedly ambushed the victims as they returned home from work.

It is further alleged that when the victims tried to open the house’s back door, they were attacked by the three suspects who forced them inside at gun point and demanded money from them, before robbing them and fleeing with a getaway vehicle.

No arrest or recovery has been made in connection with the incident.

In a similar but unrelated incident, a woman was on Friday allegedly attacked and robbed of her belongings valued at N.dollars 10 600 in Windhoek’s Khomasdal residential area.

The complainant was forced to the ground and robbed of her belongings, including her cellphone, at about 08h00.

No arrest or recovery has been made been made.

Another robbery incident was recorded on Friday at the Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region, in which a Dutch national was allegedly robbed of items valued at N.dollars 82 055 while he was seated in his vehicle.

The incident occurred at 15h00, when unknown suspects allegedly smashed the two left side windows of the vehicle with an unknown object.

The suspects then gained entrance and took items including a cellphone, laptops and a tablet, among others.

No recovery or arrests have been made in the matter.

In another incident, the attempted kidnapping of a 16-year-old Namibian girl was recorded in Windhoek’s Hochland Park residential area on Saturday.

The NamPol report stated that the victim was allegedly grabbed from behind and pulled into a vehicle which then sped off.

The victim managed to flee after the suspects disembarked from the car and ran to her house. No injuries were sustained and no arrests have been made in the matter.

Police investigations continue.

Source: Namibia Press Agency