Police in the Kavango East and West Regions are urging local communities to assist in tackling a range of crimes, particularly stock theft, which has become a major concern.

Over the weekend, senior officers from the Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate patrolled the borders in both regions, where many areas lack law enforcement presence, creating hotspots for illegal activities.

Commissioner David Indongo, head of the Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, highlighted the increasing problem of cross-border cattle theft.

"Criminals are driving cattle from Namibia into Angola, slaughtering them, and then smuggling the carcasses back into Namibia. We’ve also seen Angolans stealing cattle from their side and bringing the meat into Namibia. Our intelligence shows that a lot of this stolen meat is being sold as kapana in Rundu and Nkurenkuru. We’re tracking these buyers, and soon, they'll be caught red-handed."

Smuggling contraband across the river is another rising issue.

"We’re dealing with the illicit trade of goods like cigarettes, whiskey, and clothing bales. Criminals are using WhatsApp groups to monitor police movements, which allows them to avoid our patrols. It’s a dangerous game because they’re as aware of us as we are of them," said Indongo.

The police are now appealing to residents to collaborate in fighting cross-border crime by reporting suspicious activities.

In addition to patrols, officers spent the weekend engaging with communities along the borders.

"Don’t harbor criminals or collude with them," Indongo urged. "Instead, become allies of law enforcement by providing critical information to help NamPol adjust operations where needed."

The Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate will continue its efforts on Monday, with a focus on Rundu.