By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, July 31 – The official working visit of Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, to the Zambezi Region, is still ongoing. Shikongo has been in the region since late for his visit, where he has engaged with the political leadership, traditional leaders, and business representatives, and is scheduled to meet with members of the public before concluding his visit.
The Zambezi Region has been grappling with rising incidents of housebreaking, stock theft, and illegal harvesting of natural resources by illegal immigrants, posing significant security concerns for the region. Residents hope that Shikongo’s visit might bring about positive changes, particularly for communities living along the common borders between Zambia and Namibia, where they have incurred substantial losses. It is believed that sophisticated syndicates, some with connections to corrupt law enforcement personnel, are operating in the border areas.
Inspector General Shikongo remains optimistic that criminal activities in the region can be curbed. While he has been highly praised by both the appointment authority and the community for his disciplined and experienced leadership, he also faces challenges as he is under investigation by the force he leads. He is being probed for allegedly culpable homicide, reckless driving, and negligent driving after a head-on collision with a sedan in December last year, resulting in the tragic deaths of three sedan occupants.
Shikongo has maintained that the law will determine whether he should be arrested for the alleged offences, and his response sparked a war of words with activist Michael Amushelelo.
The Inspector General has consistently warned officers against engaging in corrupt practices and has urged them not to turn away members of the public seeking service under the pretext of resource constraints.
Members of the public have expressed their desire for a reshuffle of some commanders within the force, especially those who have held their positions in the same region for over 15 years. They believe such prolonged tenure compromises work ethics and often leads to bias, as the commanders become too familiar with local communities. They hope that Inspector General Shikongo will consider this issue, leading to the deployment of neutral officers who do not act like lawyers and magistrates.
As his visit to the Zambezi Region continues, there is a sense of anticipation and hope among the residents for positive changes to address the security challenges and improve policing in the region. – Namibia Daily News
