Niël Terblanché
As the festive season gets into full swing, law enforcement agencies in Namibia are poised to uphold their duty to protect and serve the public, striving to make the roads safer and promote a secure environment for all residents and visitors alike.
As a result, these agencies in Namibia are gearing up and preparing to ensure public safety and security during a period traditionally associated with increased road accidents and other incidents.
Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, during the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund, has urged all law enforcement officers assigned various duties during this festive season campaign to be extremely vigilant and committed to fulfilling their duties impartially and conscientiously.
General Shikongo extended his appeal to all stakeholders, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and the road safety community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for the success of the Festive Season Campaign.
The campaign, which officially began on November 17 and will run until January 17, 2024, will be implemented nationwide, with a particular focus on the notorious B1 and B2 highways.
According to the General, the primary objective of the campaign is to achieve a significant reduction in road crashes, injuries, and fatalities by targeting common road offences that contribute to accidents.
General Shikongo reassured Namibians and visitors that despite Namibia’s recent decline in its ranking among the safest countries, law enforcement agencies are working diligently to safeguard both citizens and visitors throughout the country.
The Inspector General addressed a recent article published in a local newspaper that cited a global poll conducted by the Gallup group, ranking Namibia as one of the worst countries in terms of law and order.
According to the poll results, based on interviews conducted in over 140 countries and areas in 2022, Namibia received an overall law-and-order score of 62, a decrease from the previous year’s score of 65. This placed Namibia as the 11th worst country globally concerning law and order.
He emphasized the commitment of the Namibian Police to enhance its standing in the global law-and-order index to ensure public safety and security.
General Shikongo also stressed that the focus should not solely be on incidents involving tourists, as the national police force aims to provide security and safety for the entire population.
