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Combatting cross-border crime

- 2023-09-04 09:05:00

Last month, the Namibian police (Nampol) - using Interpol's database (MIND) - was able to identify 1 370 stolen vehicles and intercept 2 577 stolen or lost travel documents.
Nampol spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi recently elaborated on the police's cooperation with Interpol and the Southern African Cooperation Organisation for Regional Police Chiefs (SARPCCO).
Thanks to this collaboration, Operation USALAMA is in its ninth year - since 2013 - and was launched in all 14 regions in Namibia between 14 and 18 August this year.
The number of illegal immigrants apprehended rose from 15 last year to 159 this year. Twenty-eight suspects were arrested for drugs last year and the same number this year, although the value of the drugs seized increased from around N$121 000 last year to more than N$1 million this year.
The international cooperation also achieved successes in the fight against environmental crime, with 11 alleged perpetrators arrested this year for environmental offences worth approximately N$200 000, compared to last year when no arrests were made and no damage was recorded.
Four people were arrested for allegedly stealing electrical wiring, compared to one arrest in 2022.
Three people, who were in possession of four unlicensed firearms and 48 rounds of ammunition, were arrested last month, compared to no such cases recorded last year.
According to statistics, no one has been caught with illegal diamonds so far this year, although one suspect was arrested in connection last year.
Seven suspects were caught with stolen property in their possession this year, compared to no arrests in 2022.
Shikwambi said the public has been helpful with the crime-fighting campaign, and she asked that this continues.
MVAs
In a separate media release, Shikwambi appealed for general cooperation in terms of car accidents.
The number of accidents on Namibian roads is worrying the police she said, saying that 1 828 accidents with 3 262 injuries and 241 fatalities were recorded from January 1 to August 27 this year in comparison to last year's 1 918 accidents with 3 239 injuries and 297 deaths.
In 2021, 1 809 car accidents occurred with 3 210 injuries and 303 deaths.
"It paints a bleak picture," she said.
She added that the loss of life almost every day on Namibian roads can be avoided through precautionary measures and responsible behaviour. "Every life saved is a victory for all of us, so road safety starts with each one of us," she said. – [email protected]