MY FELLOW NAMIBIANS, if we don’t rise, crime will take over.
The ever-increasing levels of criminal activities in Namibia is worrying.
The new deputy inspector general of operations in the Namibian police, major general Joseph Shikongo, was recently quoted in the media for expressing the same sentiments.
The national action plan on women, peace and security articulates the need to confront emerging issues, trends and threats to peace and security, and crime is one imminent threat we should face head-on.
Our current focus on fighting crime is myopic, as we think it is the task of the law-enforcement agencies only.
Crime prevention is one of their tasks, but the biggest part of their jobs involve attending to crime.
We have spent sleepless nights worrying about our dwellings being broken into.
At the same time we seek to limit the number of firearms owned by civilians.
Our policing should be effective enough to protect lives and property so that people will not need to own firearms.
Crime statistics reveal that it is mostly young people who commit these crimes.
Youth unemployment, rapid urbanisation and increasing poverty levels remain causes of criminal activities.
A hungry man is an angry man, and most young people resort to crime and drugs as a means of survival – hence the urgent need for holistic strategies to promote the livelihoods of the youth as the majority of the population.
The urgency in political will and understanding the needs of the young masses are crucial.
Our law-enforcement agencies need to reform.
The government should invest more into training and equipping the police with the necessary expertise.
They should also recruit more staff.
It is illogical to rope the army into crime-fighting initiatives, as it has proven to be a double-edged sword.
The recent killing of a young police constable at Walvis Bay is one of the reminders that even agents of law enforcement are no longer safe – whether on or off duty.
Our community policing strategies should be as aggressive as the rate of crimes occurring in our society.
The safety of a country is too great of a responsibility to be left to law-enforcement agencies alone.
Every member of society has a duty to fight crime.
Andreas Sheya
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
