Six police officers are among eight people arrested for the alleged smuggling of police firearms, following a tip-off from South African authorities about weapons from Namibia being used in gang violence in the Western Cape. The suspects appeared in the Windhoek Regional Court. Two of the suspects are civilian employees of the police.

According to Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo, information from South Africa indicates that two trucking companies suspected of involvement in the smuggling also operate in Namibia.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo and Brigadier General Fillimon Shafashike, Chief of Staff for Policy and Plans in the Namibian Defence Force, provided an update during an interview on NBC News on Wednesday.