Niël Terblanché
THE security cluster in the Erongo Region has shut down all possible escape routes into and out of the local authority enclave surrounding the main coastal towns.
The Commandant of the Namibian Marine Corps, Captain Appolos Haimbala, during a briefing said that not only were people able to leave the Local Authority Areas of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Arandis, but people were actually coming into the restricted area.
The situation eventually called for the senior command of the security cluster in the region to personally intervene after a foreign national that is illegally in Namibia, was arrested at one of the checkpoints on the main road leaving the restricted area.
RECON MISSION: Senior commanders of the Namibian Defence Force and Namibian Police inspecting all possible escape routes from the Erongo Region during a recent reconnaissance mission. – Photos: Courtesy of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region. 
RECON MISSION: Senior commanders of the Namibian Defence Force and Namibian Police inspecting all possible escape routes from the Erongo Region during a recent reconnaissance mission. – Photos: Courtesy of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region. 
RECON MISSION: Senior commanders of the Namibian Defence Force and Namibian Police inspecting all possible escape routes from the Erongo Region during a recent reconnaissance mission. – Photos: Courtesy of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region.
“The suspect was found in possession of a falsified permit which led to an investigation into his residency status,” he said.
Captain Appolos said that he, along with the Erongo Regional Police Commander, and other senior staff members undertook a trip on the roads that turn off from the C14 and C26 roads to see where law enforcers could be placed to put a stop to people leaving and entering the restricted areas.
“Since the reconnaissance mission all possible escape routes were closed down to ensure that no further spread of COVID-19 is possible in this manner,” he said.
Captain Haimbala pointed out that several troops are now manning checkpoints on all the routes that they identified during their reconnaissance mission.
He stressed that the ideal situation would, however, be if no soldiers were needed to keep people from endangering themselves and others by irresponsible acts such as leaving or entering restricted areas.
