The Office of the Swakopmund Mayor has proposed the introduction of buses as a mode of public transportation around Swakopmund to tackle criminal activities.

The arrangement, documented in a council agenda as proposed by the mayor’s office at a council meeting in January 2024, will be conducted in partnership with a security firm to increase the visibility of security personnel.

According to the document, Swakopmund has been experiencing various safety and security issues over the years, including shoplifting, armed robberies, and housebreaking.

‘In light of this, the council introduced the Swakopmund Safety Forum, where various key stakeholders host monthly meetings to discuss ways to combat the increase in criminal activities within the town of Swakopmund. Nonetheless, a lot of effort has been made in terms of safety and security within the town of Swakopmund,’ the document noted.

It further added that there is still room for improvement as safety and security are crucial to society, and it is the respo
nsibility of the council to ensure the total well-being of the inhabitants.

The Mayor’s Office recommended the establishment and provision of public transportation for the public focus on assisting learners, the elderly, and domestic workers, who may be vulnerable and unable to afford the normal taxi fare. This, according to the agenda, could reduce the current daily N.dollars 26 and a possible monthly N.dollars 600 per individual.

‘The identified target group do not earn or only earn a bare minimum on a monthly basis and are thus unable to afford the current taxi fares. As a result, it has been noted that some learners and some of the domestic workers walk to their place of destination during the early hours while it is dark, and this poses a security risk.’

In an interview with Nampa, Frieda Elago, who is employed as a domestic worker in the town’s Ocean View residential area, said should the plans come to fruition, it would really be life-changing for her and many others.

‘We live in constant fear for
our lives because we sometimes have to walk from Ocean View to DRC Informal Settlement, where we live because we cannot afford daily taxi fare,’ she said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency