A total of 2 259 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences during the 2025/26 financial year, of which 114 were identified as foreign nationals.
This was revealed on Thursday by minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Lucia Iipumbu during her budget motivation speech in the National Assembly, where the ministry was allocated N$8.1 billion.
Five cases of trafficking in persons were reported during the period under review. The ministry also conducted money laundering investigations, resulting in property preservation orders valued at N$22.1 million.
“The allocation is not only for expenditure, but for the continuous strengthening of the state’s ability to identify and secure its people, protect its borders, maintain law and order and support justice,” she said.
In an effort to combat crime, the ministry has carried out nine operations and six joint regional operations across the country.
Under anti-poaching operations, 108 arrests were made and 14 vehicles were impounded.
Under the immigration control programme, 1 073 individuals were arrested for illegal entry into the country. The highest number of arrests, 492, was recorded in the northern regions, particularly at entry points in the Kunene and Omusati regions.
An amnesty programme was also introduced, resulting in over 300 immigrants leaving the country during the period under review.
Under programme three, which deals with refugee management, Namibia currently hosts 1 365 asylum seekers and 5 551 refugees, bringing the total to 6 916. The majority are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During the reporting period, 4 010 asylum seekers were received and registered, while 389 applications for refugee status were processed. Of these, 59 were approved and 330 rejected.
In November and December, 333 individuals were successfully repatriated to the DRC.
Iipumbu said the ministry remains committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining security across the country.
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