Residents of Swakopmund have expressed deep concern over the recent rise in crime in the coastal town, calling for increased police visibility. They stated that they no longer feel safe.

The elderly say that they cannot attend church services during the weekdays because they fear for their lives.

They say if they are not found with valuable items, they are bitten, slapped, and kicked.

The community members say there is poor police visibility, making them feel unsafe because the police do not patrol the streets regularly, especially at crime hotspots.

Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo shared the sentiments of the residents. "Namibia is an independent country, and as an independent country, our people should be independent. Our people should decide what time I should move from town to the location or what time I should move from location to town, what type of phone I should carry, and what type of car I should be driving. It is not to be dictated by the criminals to tell us."