The Inspector General of the Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has instructed the Regional Commander in Zambezi to extend police services to rural communities.

Shikongo gave these instructions during the inauguration of the Crime Prevention Awareness Campaign in the Zambezi.

During his speech at the launch, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo noted that stock theft in the Zambezi surpasses that of most other regions, predominantly occurring in rural areas where livestock is often stolen.

He emphasised the commitment of the police to address this issue collaboratively with the Zambian Police Service, highlighting the establishment of committees aimed at enhancing the police's relationship with local communities.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says he instructed the Zambezi police commander to re-activate the anti-stock theft unit to ensure prompt investigation and resolution of stock theft cases.

The Inspector General also issued a reminder to the police, encouraging them to utilise any available means of transportation for patrolling and promptly respond to public calls for police assistance.

"What I have indicated is that it is not about the vehicles; it is about the personnel that are deployed there. Members can jump in any form of transport; tools are available, whether it is on a donkey, a horse, a motorcycle, or a different car, to go and do their work. So, the issue of a car should not be something stopping us from performing our duties diligently and to the best of our ability."

Shikongo also expressed concern about the theft of fuel from vehicles in Katima Mulilo, calling on the police to take measures to stop this practise.

On his part, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, encouraged immigration officials to treat travellers with respect at all times.

"These are people who are coming to invest in Namibia; these are people who are coming to contribute to infrastructure development in Namibia, and therefore, as the Executive Director of the Ministry, I want to ensure that no immigration officer must be rude to our visitors."

Dr. Kawana donated N$10,000 to the community policing members in Katima Mulilo as well as twenty bags of 50-kilogramme maize meal, which were produced and milled at the Namibia Correctional Services, to the same members of the community policing unit.