The Chairperson of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization, Richard Luhanga is in Namibia on an official visit.
Luhanga who is also the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service is on a mission to assess how member states are implementing security resolutions agreed upon by SADC police chiefs and INTERPOL.
During talks with Police Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, the focus was on the growing threat of organized crime across the SADC region and how to tackle its networks.
The Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization Chairperson, Luhanga warned that organized crime in the region is becoming more sophisticated, with criminal syndicates increasingly operating across borders.
Among the key concerns raised were human trafficking, cybercrime, drug smuggling, stock theft and terrorism.
"Crime today does not respect borders. We need stronger intelligence sharing, stronger cooperation and stronger joint operations across the region,” Luhanga said.
Luhanga also raised concern over the limited use of crime data systems by member states, saying poor reporting continues to weaken the region's ability to respond effectively.
He urged SADC countries to improve the submission of crime data to support informed regional policing strategies.
During the engagement, Luhanga praised Namibia for its active role in regional policing efforts, training programmes, and its contribution of personnel to both the SADC Secretariat and the INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Harare.
Police Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, welcomed the visit, saying it comes at a crucial time as law enforcement agencies face increasingly complex security threats.
He said Namibia is implementing regional resolutions and working closely with neighboring countries to curb the rise of crime in the region.
“These crimes are transnational in nature and require a coordinated and intelligence-led response from all member states,” he said.
The visit follows resolutions adopted during the SADC Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee meeting held in Dar es Salaam, where member states resolved to intensify efforts against transnational organized crime.