The Inspector General of the Namibian Police has called on the government to provide sufficient resources to allow the force to combat transnational organised crime in the SADC Region.
Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo made this call during a two-day regional Multi-Stakeholder Transnational Organised Crime Conference at Swakopmund.
Shikongo says Namibia is working on a comprehensive strategy with SADC member states to identify, understand, and combat transnational organised crime in the region.
This would, however, require financial support from governments.
SADC member states have their own protocols on how to deal with growing cross-border threats, including the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and wildlife, as well as human trafficking.
Related transnational crimes, such as illicit financial flows and terrorism, are also on the rise in the region.
"The region highlighted that transnational organised crimes posed a great threat to the region's concerted efforts to foster peace and security, integration, industrialization, and development. The report also noted that the region is increasingly connected to the world's illicit markets via various international criminal organisations that are targeting the region specifically to maximise illicit gain," Shikongo said.
Another challenge mentioned is a lack of cooperation by law enforcement agencies at the national and regional levels.
"We are operating in silos; hence, our efforts to prevent and combat transnational organised crime are fragmented and are characterised by piecemeal approaches to mutual legal assistance with member states," he said.
Also speaking on the occasion is the Head of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Zimbabwe, Sello Moerane.
Moerane says the impact of criminality on infrastructure in the southern region has worsened.
"Several members cry out that vital infrastructure is being compromised through the theft of transformers, copper cables, electrical pylons, and destined for the strip yard metals industry. This has severely impacted many economies in the region and the social well-being of the communities."