The Oshikoto Police have officially launched their festive season road safety and crime prevention operation, code-named Safer Namibia.
The campaign, launched at Omuthiya, started on 15 November and will run until 16 January next year.
The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Nangula Iifo, said the main objective of Operation Safer Namibia is to enhance police visibility through roadblocks, foot patrols, mobile patrols, and targeted interventions at crime hotspots.
The operation will strictly enforce traffic laws, focusing on drunk driving, overloading, unroadworthy vehicles and reckless or negligent driving.
It will also intensify crime prevention efforts, including intelligence-led operations, monitoring repeat offenders and combating cross-border crime.
"This operation forms a critical component of our annual national policing strategy aimed at safeguarding lives and properties and ensuring peaceful and secure communities during the festive season. It is for this reason that Safer Namibia has been designed as a proactive, intensive, and coordinated operation with the clear objective of reducing crime and saving lives on our national roads."
Iifo said that the operation prioritises safety for tourists, communities, and key economic installations.
It will further enforce zero tolerance for gender-based violence and alcohol-related offences, as well as violence against children.
"The festive season is a time of joy, travel, celebration, and family reunion. Unfortunately, it also brings heightened risks. Year after year, we witness an increase in road traffic crashes, a rise in alcohol and drug abuse, housebreaking, theft, robberies, gender-based violence, cross-border-related crimes, and general lawlessness arising from large movements and gatherings of people."
Head of the Crime Prevention Division, Deputy Commissioner Wynand Neels, reiterated their commitment to partnering with communities and key stakeholders to ensure a safer festive season.
"We are committed to working closely with law enforcement agencies, transport operators, local authorities, and communities to prevent accidents and reduce related crimes."