The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo, has confirmed that transnational organised crime constitutes a major threat to peace, stability, governance, and development in southern Africa.
Lieutenant General Shikongo highlighted crimes such as drug and human trafficking, vehicle hijacking, wildlife crimes, illegal firearms trade, money laundering, and cybercrime, among others.
The police chief was speaking at the official opening of the consultative meeting aimed at supporting Namibia's strategy for combating transnational organised crime on Monday.
Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo described the web through which global criminality flows and organised crime operates as complex and multi-dimensional.
The widespread availability of technology, the ease of travel between regional countries, youth unemployment, and corruption all contribute to crime that can be committed across regional and international borders.
"This strategy therefore aims to revive and operationalize a concerted regional framework for preventing and combating transnational, serious, and organised crimes and to mitigate their impacts on the population and the economy of the region. The strategy also focuses on promoting and strengthening national and regional resilience against TOC."
He called for cross-border unity, emphasising that stakeholders engage in meaningful discussions aimed at effectively and efficiently fighting transnational organised crimes.
A senior police officer in the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) secretariat also agrees with Lieutenant General Shikongo.
Elaborating on Shikongo's notes, Thanyani Gumede says that without unity and cooperation, the region will see an increase in crimes across the region.
"Transnational organised crime syndicates are taking advantage of a lack of cooperation and collaboration among member states to commit crimes with impunity across the nations; this should be a thing of the past. Let us support each other's policing endeavours to stifle criminal activities."