Patience Makwele
The adequacy of Namibia’s border security resources has come under scrutiny after Independent Patriot for Change (IPC) member of parliament Immanuel Nashinge raised concerns about drug-detection facilities at two southern border posts, prompting the home affairs ministry to acknowledge that personnel, equipment and operational resources remain important considerations.
Nashinge, who questioned line minister Lucia Iipumbu, identified Klein Menassa and Velloorsdrift border posts in the //Karas Region following an oversight visit, alleging that officers lacked proper scanning and drug-detection facilities and relied on manual searches to identify narcotics concealed in vehicles.
Responding to the concerns, Iipumbu said the government was strengthening border security through the expansion of the INTERPOL I-24/7 secure communication system and its integration with the Electronic Border Management System (EBMS).
“The ministry acknowledges that effective border security requires appropriate personnel, equipment, technology and operational resources,” she said.
“Resource requirements therefore remain an important consideration in strengthening detection and enforcement capabilities, particularly at non-commercial border posts.”
However, Iipumbu did not indicate whether the existing manpower and equipment at the two border posts were sufficient or provide details on the resources currently deployed there.
The parliamentary exchange comes against the background of significant drug seizures recorded by law enforcement agencies.
In June 2025, the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force reported that drugs worth approximately N$106 million had been confiscated between January 2023 and December 2024, with 3 264 suspects arrested during the period.
Figures presented to Parliament in April 2026 showed that 2 259 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences during the 2025/26 financial year, including 114 foreign nationals.
The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) separately reported intercepting narcotics valued at approximately N$26.9 million during the 2024/25 financial year.
The substances included cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, mandrax and methamphetamine.
At Ariamsvlei Border Post in November 2025, NamRA officials intercepted drugs valued at approximately N$5.16 million after a vehicle was directed to a scanner that detected suspicious objects concealed in its canopy.
The seizure included 1 993 mandrax tablets, 1.05kg of cocaine and 77 parcels of cannabis. The drugs were allegedly destined for Okahandja.
On regional cooperation, Iipumbu said Namibia continued to use established policing mechanisms to combat cross-border organised crime.
She cited Operation USALAMA, the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as initiatives through which Namibia cooperates with regional and continental law enforcement agencies.
“The ministry recognises that drug trafficking networks operate across national boundaries and that their disruption requires sustained cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination,” she said.
Iipumbu also said intelligence gathered through the INTERPOL system and EBMS could inform targeted interventions and joint operations with regional partners.
The minister’s response did not specify how many border posts are currently connected to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 system or provide figures on police personnel deployed at non-commercial entry points.
