Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has shed light on a pressing issue facing the country’s law enforcement agency, a severe shortage of manpower.
This revelation came during a preparatory meeting for the festive season crime prevention and road safety operations held at the police national headquarters in Windhoek yesterday.
Shikongo disclosed that the current functional structure of the Namibian police force allows for a member count of approximately 28,000.
However, he said the reality on the ground presents a stark contrast to this desired number.
“We need to work on the recruitment drive to make sure we attain the desired number. There is a challenge of manpower,” he said.
Shikongo stated that to address the issue, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Albert Kawana, has approved the new police structure comprising about 28,000 police members.
The Inspector General said his observations have been extended to various regions of the country, illustrating the gravity of the situation.
For instance, he said during his visit to the //Karas region last year, which should ideally consist of 2,000 police officers, he found that they had only around 600 officers, a number that may decrease further in the near future due to retirements.
Similarly, the Hardap region, with a structural capacity of 2,000 officers, had only approximately 500 officers during his visit.
The predicament is not limited to these regions alone, as Shikongo highlighted that the Kavango West regional commander struggles to manage the area with fewer than 500 members.
Additionally, he said President Hage Geingob, too, has voiced concern about the visibility of police officers on the ground.
Shikongo emphasised the necessity of citizens feeling the presence of the police force in their daily lives, despite resource constraints.
“I know we have an issue with resources, but we have to do more with less, and we are committed to doing so,” he asserted.
In addition to the manpower shortage, Shikongo highlighted the reality that some police stations lack essential resources like vehicles.
“For instance, the Omitala police station, serving a vast area, shares a single vehicle with Witvlei police station. This is just one example of the many stations across the country that are facing similar challenges,” Shikongo said.
The overarching goal of the Festive Season Crime Prevention Operation and Road Safety Campaign, as described by Shikongo, is to preserve road safety, prevent crime, save lives and protect properties.
“Crime prevention initiatives play a crucial role in creating a sense of security and safety in communities, which in turn positively impacts the country’s investment and socio-economic development,” he argued.
