The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Kunene Region have pledged to enhance security at several border crossings, including the ungazetted points between Angola and Namibia, to curb crime and illegal crossings between the two countries.
These efforts will also broaden and accelerate legal avenues for orderly migration and will be implemented in close collaboration with the Angolan government.
Obandja Ruhoze, the Namibian Police Force’s Deputy Commissioner and Head of the Crime Prevention Division for Kunene, in a recent interview on the region’s crime statistics, described the ungazetted border points as problematic as it has now become a crime hotspot between the two countries.
‘We are working on tougher security measures at all border crossing sites since we are seeing an increase in criminal activity. This will also help us reduce the number of illegal immigrants, illegal smuggling by traders and end drug trafficking,’ he added.
Ruhoze said over the last six months, the region has registered more t
han 47 occurrences of drug trafficking, with the majority reported at border crossings. The region, during the same period also registered 121 stock thefts incidences, with half of them occurring at the Angolan-Namibian border.
According to Ruhozu, four cattle were intercepted at the Otjimuhaka crossing last week after being stolen from the Kunene and Omusati regions, and three people were arrested.
Ruhoze noted that it is challenging to combat stock theft, especially during the drought season when water levels in the Kunene River are low, which makes it easy for thieves to cross.
‘With additional resources and manpower, the police will be able to ramp up anti-smuggling operations while simultaneously expanding cooperation and support for border settlements,’ he said.
Ruhoze further noted that unemployment and poverty are major contributors to crime, with children as young as 14 years old engaging in housebreaking activities, looking mainly for food and cellphones.
‘We profiled all of these youngsters, w
hich is how we track them down for future offenses,’ he continued.
The number of housebreaking instances has reached 118 in five months, with the majority involving children.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency