Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo has thanked Namibians for their good behaviour during the national mourning period for founding president Sam Nujoma.
He particularly thanked Namibians for ensuring Nujoma is given a smooth and dignified send-off.
Shikongo said this on Saturday, shortly before the commencement of Nujoma‘s funeral service at Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek.
The founding president died on 8 February.
Shikongo said police officers were deployed across the regions to ensure national safety and security.
Nujoma’s body was taken to seven regions, namely the Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and //Kharas regions, before it was flown to Windhoek in the Khomas region.
The body was transported in a military procession and lay in state in all regions under the guard of the Namibian Defence Force to allow Namibians to pay their last respects.
“I should thus indicate and thank, from the bottom of my heart, Namibians for the manner in which they conducted themselves in ensuring we give our founding father a dignified send-off. We had no issues.
“Thank you, Namibians, let us continue doing this in events of this nature or any other event. Let us make sure our international dignitaries confirm Namibia is a country of order and peace,” Shikongo said.
He said the police did not encounter any issues related to crime during the procession of Nujoma’s body from Windhoek to other regions.
“The process started on 20 February from Hosea Kutako International Airport. I attended the arrival at Ondangwa and we proceeded to Okahao. The events went very well,” he said.
The low crime rate during the mourning period, he stressed, is attributed to Namibians’ patriotism in ensuring that Nujoma was respected.
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