Getting to grips with crime

FIVE new Police stations were inaugurated across the country this week, as the Ministry of Safety and Security vowed to improve the Police presence in especially rural areas.

The Tondoro Police station in the Kavango Region, Katounyama in the Caprivi, Bravo in the Khomas Region, Okakwa in Ohangwena and the Ongwediva Police Station and Police camps in the Oshana Region all became official assets in the fight against crime on Monday. Minister of Safety and Security Nickey Iyambo was present at the station opening at Tondoro on Monday.”It is gratifying to note that, despite limited budgetary provisions, the Government of Namibia has been able and continues to provide some offices and housing for its workforce,” Iyambo said.”These facilities are representative of Government’s commitment to ensuring that safety and security services are brought closer to all people in Namibia, including communities in remote rural areas.They are also indicative of the systematic manner in which Government intends to address matters relating to the welfare of the members of the Namibian Police force,” he said.The Namibian Police has grown from an initial number of 2 000 officers at its establishment in 1990 to approximately 10 700 uniformed and 480 civilian staff at present, Iyambo said – something which proves not only Government’s commitment to deal with increasing crime, but also increasing challenges facing the force.These, he said, include housing, office space, transportation, a lack of communication equipment and other logistical matters.With crimes such as murder, rape, stock theft, assault, housebreaking and money laundering constantly being committed, Iyambo said it was vital to provide the necessary infrastructure and human and technical resources to try and minimise the incidence of such crimes.The Tondoro station was built at a cost of N$3,88 million, while the Katounyama station cost N$7 million, Bravo N$6,3 million, Okakwa N$2,2 million and the Ongwediva station N$4,8 million.Minister of Safety and Security Nickey Iyambo was present at the station opening at Tondoro on Monday.”It is gratifying to note that, despite limited budgetary provisions, the Government of Namibia has been able and continues to provide some offices and housing for its workforce,” Iyambo said.”These facilities are representative of Government’s commitment to ensuring that safety and security services are brought closer to all people in Namibia, including communities in remote rural areas.They are also indicative of the systematic manner in which Government intends to address matters relating to the welfare of the members of the Namibian Police force,” he said.The Namibian Police has grown from an initial number of 2 000 officers at its establishment in 1990 to approximately 10 700 uniformed and 480 civilian staff at present, Iyambo said – something which proves not only Government’s commitment to deal with increasing crime, but also increasing challenges facing the force.These, he said, include housing, office space, transportation, a lack of communication equipment and other logistical matters.With crimes such as murder, rape, stock theft, assault, housebreaking and money laundering constantly being committed, Iyambo said it was vital to provide the necessary infrastructure and human and technical resources to try and minimise the incidence of such crimes.The Tondoro station was built at a cost of N$3,88 million, while the Katounyama station cost N$7 million, Bravo N$6,3 million, Okakwa N$2,2 million and the Ongwediva station N$4,8 million.