The government has launched an ethical social media campaign to curb rising cases of online crimes, including fraud, defamation, human trafficking and cyberbullying, recorded over the past three years.
The ‘Ethical Use of Social Media’ campaign was launched on Wednesday.
Police chief inspector general Joseph Shikongo revealed that 11 990 cases of fraud and 9 039 other criminal cases were committed through online platforms between April 2022 and April 2025.
During the same period, 4 835 cases of defamation of character, 165 of theft under false pretenses, and six assault through threat cases, as well as two cases of extortion were recorded additionally.
Social media, according to Shikongo, has further facilitated incidents of human trafficking, with six cases involving 38 Namibian victims recruited through online platforms to work outside the country, while 50 victims were recruited to work in the country.
Other offences are being committed through social media platforms, including cyberbulling, online child sexual exploitation, distribution of explicit content without consent, and incitement to violence.
“These offences are very harmful and may result in serious consequences and punishment under Namibian law,” Shikongo warned.
He said the campaign is not aimed at policing free speech or restricting responsible online engagement.
“This campaign is about promoting ethical responsibility through encouraging every Namibian to think before they post, verify before they share, and engage without causing harm, because a single reckless post can destroy lives, careers, and reputations and may land offenders in prison,” Shikongo said.
He said the police will collaborate with schools, universities, and community leaders to educate people on safe and ethical online behaviour.
“We will also be strengthening our cybercrime unit capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute social media-related offences. We will also work hand in hand with telecommunications companies and platform providers to track and curb online abuse,” he said.
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