Staff Reporter
OSHIKANGO, a suburb of the border town of Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena Region, has become a den for smugglers, and it appears that the local police have accepted smuggling as a normal part of life.
The evident tolerance between smugglers and law enforcement is noticeable to any visitor in the town. Young men can be seen standing calmly by the roadside or in front of shopping malls, holding bundles of illicit “Best” whiskey and cartons of “Yes” cigarettes that have been illegally imported from Angola, waiting for potential buyers.
These individuals only move away slightly when a police van drives down the street or when police officers on foot patrol approach them. However, even when the officers spot the smugglers, they seem to view them as more of an annoyance than individuals engaged in criminal activities.
The same leniency applies to fuel smugglers who communicate with vehicle owners using a peculiar sign language, likely understood only by their regular customers. But what do these hand gestures signify?
According to our investigations, the sign language used includes a hand gesture involving the thumb and index finger, indicating the availability of a 5-litre fuel container. Using both arms, with one at waist level and the other at head level, supposedly signifies the presence of a larger (25-litre) fuel container.
The smugglers have altered their methods of operation. They no longer roam the town carrying fuel containers as they did in the past. Instead, they now keep the valuable liquid hidden until a potential buyer is found.
