Community members harbouring criminals have been urged to inform police officers about their presence to root out crime in Tsumkwe.

Police Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, made this call to community members during his visit to the settlement aimed at listening to complaints that require police attention.

The Inspector General, together with the team from Otjozondjupa Region, visited the Tsumkwe settlement and engaged community members.

Among the complaints raised by residents, stock theft and house break-ins topped the crimes in their area.

Shikongo said people who commit crime are accommodated in family households and do not live in isolation.

They would come home with items such as a television or an animal carcass without being questioned by the family.

It is therefore crucial that those who know of criminals report such matters to the police, Shikongo says.

"Remember the work of the Namibian Police is not only to arrest, but we are also there to educate our people. We have awareness campaigns; we go to families; we go to people; we talk about gender-based violence; we talk about theft; we talk about behaviour; these are part of our responsibilities."

The Inspector General says no police officer is allowed to inform criminals about who reported them.

He says some complaints should be taken to the traditional authorities and community leaders to be dealt with at that level.

"We must go back to the roots where we have our traditional hearings, people come together traditionally and people are heard traditionally and also advised by the elders."

Otjozondjupa Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Philip Hidengwa, called on energetic and committed Tsumkwe community members to become police reservists.

"Being a police reservist, you are basically the whole police officer. The only thing that we cannot do for you, unfortunately, is pay you a salary, but for the rest of everything, appointment certificates, you will get your uniform, and promotion, you will get authority to drive police vehicles".

To do away with the language barrier, which most community members complained about, community members are urged to recommend San people with at least Grade 10 or an understanding and writing of English for recruitment in the force.

Those officers will be deployed in Tsumkwe and other areas with San people, as there are currently only two San inspectors in the force.