Police discovers explosives in six regions

Ashley Nyambe

AT LEAST 50 explosive ordnances were discovered by the Namibian Police Force in January alone.

The explosives were discovered in the Oshana, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Zambezi, Erongo and Khomas regions by the Namibian Police Force Explosives Division.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, Kauna Shikwambi, in most cases the explosive ordnances were found underground in communal fields by people who were “cultivating their fields, while others were found by children playing in the field”.

Among the discoveries were various types of grenades, grenade launchers, mortar explosives, mortar illuminations, a light machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, a trip wire flare and a Yugoslavian anti-tank mine. Some of the mortar explosives and mortar illuminations are from the former Soviet Union and South Africa.

The Namibian Police Force hopes to educate communities on the existence and dangers of explosives with their long-running “don’t touch it, report it” campaign. The campaign also serves to remind communities to report any explosive sightings to the nearest police stations for safe disposal.