Placido Hilukilwa
THE government will continue to maintain a zero-tolerance stance against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violence against children, said President Nangolo Mbumba in his first State of the Nation Address in parliament on Thursday. He emphasized the need for visible police patrols, anti-crime operations, and greater police presence, particularly in crime hot spots in and around our cities and towns.
While focusing on issues pertaining to security and the rule of law, he announced that the Namibian police plan to recruit 1,700 cadet constables during the financial year 2024/2025, exceeding by far the number of the previous year’s intake of 1,119. These two consecutive Nampol intakes are meant to strengthen the police’s capacity.
President Mbumba added that six new police stations were recently constructed in Walvis Bay (Erongo region), Onkumbula (Oshikoto region), Nkurenkuru and Namasira (Kavango West region), Kamenga (Zambezi region), and Omatako (Otjozondjupa region).
On the issue of gender-based violence, President Mbumba reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance stance against perpetrators of GBV and violence against children.
He strongly emphasized the need for visible police patrols, anti-crime operations, and greater police presence on the ground, particularly in crime hot spots in and around our cities and towns. Furthermore, he encouraged the public to play an active role by cooperating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that Namibia is free of crime.
Additionally, in an effort to ease the movement of people across the SADC region, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Safety and Security introduced the issuance of visas on arrival at several entry points, with the latest additions being Katima Mulilo, Impalila, and Ngoma Border posts.
Furthermore, the Trans-Kalahari and Katima Mulilo border posts are now operating on a 24-hour basis, improving trade across borders and facilitating the movement of persons, resulting in reduced congestion at the two border posts.
