Police in the Kavango West Region are on a mission to combat illegal timber harvesting and sale.

During August, at least 400 processed timber planks were confiscated. 

According to Kavango West Police Commander Julia Sakuwa-Neo, the region has been plagued by several criminal syndicates, who mostly come from other regions. 

The Commissioner Sakuwa-Neo indicated that the Angolan authorities have some time ago issued a moratorium on the transportation of timber, outlawing the passing through of timber at legal border crossing points.

Despite the moratorium, it is suspected that most of the timber planks found in the region are smuggled from Angola. 

"The timber planks were intercepted and confiscated after establishing that no permits or authorisation have been granted to the suspected people in Namibia. This was done during the police operation conducted over one week. 200 planks were confiscated on August 19, 2024, between 00h40 and 02h00am at a house in the Katwitwi vicinity, while 170 planks were also confiscated the same week during the weekend at Katwitwi areas in the Kavango West Region while being transported to an unknown destination. The suspects in both instances did not have permits or authorisation to harvest the products from the line ministry in Namibia."

The confiscated timber was handed over to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism. 

The Commissioner called on those who are involved in criminal activities to refrain from such acts. 

"I would like to urge our community to desist from smuggling timber from Angola; it's just a moratorium that is being put there; they should be patient and wait for it to be lifted so that they can be able to transport the timber freely and legally."

Other cases recorded are housebreaking, theft, and robberies. 

Some suspects were arrested, and some stolen items were recovered at Rundu.

Commissioner Sakuwa-Neo appreciated the community for working together with the police.