Stefanus Nashama
President Nangolo Mbumba announced that the government has availed resources for the Namibian Police Force to have another recruitment in the 2024/2025 financial year.
This he said was the directive of late President Hage Geingob during his State of the Nation address in 2023.
Mbumba was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 1060 new police cadet constables who graduated on Monday at Oshakati in the Oshana region.
At the event, Mbumba urged new police graduates to take on the role of true patriots in fighting against crime.
“Crime is an enemy of our people, therefore root it out wherever it shows its ugly head in our country,” he told the graduates.
He stressed the importance of graduates joining the police to enhance its operations across the country.
He said some of the graduates will be deployed to border regions to increase security and prevent criminals from entering the country and disrupting its peace and stability, which are highly valued by its citizens.
Mbumba also stressed the importance of tackling violence, unrest, and crime because if it were allowed to prevail, it would hinder development.
“Peace, safety, and security are integral constituents for the development of a nation and the wellbeing of its citizens. Take pride in your profession and uphold the reputation of the Namibian Police Force as brave, patriotic, disciplined, and impartial enforcers of the Namibian laws,” he added.
Mbumba said he expects the police officers to deliver and carry out their duties to the best of their ability.
The President used the platform to stress the importance of freedom, justice, and equality.
“We depend on new heroes and heroines in the form of our uniformed men and women to ensure that the foundations put in place by the founders of our constitution,” he reiterated.
The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant-General Joseph Shikongo, voiced his encouragement to graduates, urging them to uphold the core values of the Force to the best of their ability.
with integrity and dedication.
General Shikongo, while addressing the gathering, stressed the importance of the day which he described as a proud moment for the community and the nation.
“The newly graduated officers are urged to embody the force’s core values, including courtesy, fairness, integrity, and transparency, as they join their respective stations across the country,” he said.
General Shikongo stressed that their training and the oath of office they pledged are pillars that will guide them in their duties to ensure public safety and uphold the law.
The Inspector General also highlighted the strategic initiatives underway within the police force, aimed at enhancing effective policing, building partnerships, and achieving organizational excellence.
“These efforts are part of a broader strategic plan involving resource mobilization to equip officers with the necessary tools and training for their roles,” he said.
According to General Shikongo, the graduation marks not just the culmination of rigorous training but also a step forward in strengthening the Namibian Police Force’s capacity to safeguard its citizens and uphold its commitment to service and excellence.
“As these officers start their careers, they carry with them the heavy responsibility and the high expectations of their nation,” he said.
Shikongo said that the graduate officers have the necessary tools, training, and support to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively. However, he emphasised that this requires collaboration and support from government agencies, the private sector, and the community at large.
Last week, Kabbe South constituency councillor, John Likando requested the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security to consider deploying officers in shopping malls, streets, institutions, and tourism resorts where he says crime is more prevalent.
According to Likando, the deployment of law enforcement officers to their places will also assist in the late response from police stations.
“This deployment can definitely reduce crime. I seek the usual support of farmers, and business community to assist the reserve police across the country with equipment and proper gear wear as they play a greater role in curbing crime countrywide but in most cases, they lack logistics and necessary patrolling equipment,” he said.
He added that police officers should also be a priority when recruitment is done as they have hearts filled with patriotism, volunteerism, and a ready-to-serve agenda. Therefore sidelining them will diminish their will to serve the nation.
Likando made the quest in the National Council while contributing to the ministry’s budget.
