No law banning cuca beer, fuel from entering Namibia – Shikongo

Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says no law in Namibia prohibits travellers from bringing Angola beer, better known as ‘cuca’ beer, or fuel into the country for personal use.

Shikongo said this at the launch of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance project for the Namibian Police at Oshakati on Friday.

He criticised what he described as inconsistent enforcement at border points, urging both police officers and Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) officials to familiarise themselves with what the law actually stipulates.

“I think our colleagues from Namra should really conduct more training with our officers, particularly on cross-border crimes when it comes to issues of trade . . .

“What is allowed to come into Namibia and what is not? What constitutes a crime or an offence by somebody entering Namibia?” he asked.

Shikongo asked why border officials confiscate items clearly meant for personal use.

“It does not make any sense for you to confiscate fuel in a container that somebody bought for personal use, or cuca beer for personal use. There is no law that says you should not bring cuca to Namibia.

“There is no law that says you should not bring fuel to Namibia,” he said.

Shikongo stressed that proper procedure must be followed whenever items are seized.

“Should anybody’s property or items be confiscated, we must follow the law. A case must be registered, items must be entered in the register at a police station, and a receipt must be given to that person.

“Namra should then be called in to verify whether these items are allowed into Namibia or not,” he said.

Shikongo urged both police and Namra officials to act professionally and avoid abusing their authority under the guise of enforcing the law.

He also called on immigration officials to adhere strictly to legal requirements, warning that poor conduct damages the country’s reputation.

“We want tourists to come and invest in our country, but who wants to visit a country where items are confiscated without cases being registered or without being told why their items are taken?” he asked.

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