Police Deputy Inspector General for Operations Elias Mutota informed police officers at Outjo to stop using the lack of vehicles as an excuse not to attend to emergencies.

This caution comes after reports that police officers do not attend to crime scenes, citing a lack of vehicles.

Major General Mutota was addressing a community meeting at Outjo, which was also attended by regional commanders and police officers from Kunene, Otjozondjupa, and Erongo regions.

"Station commanders, speak to the regional commander and see how best we can help you. That's supposed to be the order of precedence. If you receive that there's a vehicle accident there, immediately you report it to the regional commander. The regional commander will make any other way around."

He indicated that the police have received funds to purchase a new fleet.

Major General Mutota also commended the Outjo Farmers Neighbourhood Watch for spending their own resources to fight crime. 

During the 2023/2024 financial year, the Kunene Region recorded 2,809 criminal cases, while the Otjozondjupa Region recorded 8,500 cases during the same period. 

Kunene Governor Marius Sheya raised concern about the crime cases that are on the increase in the region. 

"There's an increase in stock theft in the entire region; we have seen there's an increase in domestic violence and GBV cases in the region. We have also seen an increase in rape cases. Now equally, I'm sure, general sir, today some of the community members will again raise some pertinent issues, especially in Outjo and Khorixas, which is drug abuse. I am happy that the Deputy Inspector General is in charge of that operation. I am even happy our two brothers are here from Erongo and Otjozondjupa because somehow those drugs are transiting through those regions to get here."