In an effort to strengthen community relations and address ongoing safety and crime challenges, the Police Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, launched Operation Katjavivi.
The operation will run concurrently with "African Amnesty Month September". The operation started last week and will conclude at the end of September.
It is named after Kunene's outgoing commander, James Katjavivi Nderura.
Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo stated that the operation is more than just policing.
"It is a call to action, grounded in discipline, professionalism and service delivery to restore confidence, uphold the rule of law, and enhance community cooperation in the fight against crime."
Lieutenant General Shikongo said the operation is specifically to honour Nderura's 35 years of uninterrupted police service, and it will act as a tool to prevent crimes, maintain law and order, and ensure safety and security in the Kunene Region.
"Commissioner Ndera has transformed our police force engagement with communities so that the police have become a trusted entity, a go-to place for the weak, and an ally of the community in fighting social ills. Indeed, when our communities go to the commissioner's office to mitigate conflict, to be brought together in solving their conflicts, they encounter a man with wisdom, a calm man, a leader with the versatility that is required to keep a community coherent."
He noted that the Kunene Region continues to face challenges such as stock theft, drug- and alcohol abuse, gender-based violence, cross-border crime, poaching, and other organised crimes.
The strategic focus of the operation will be on high-visibility patrols in identified hotspots, roadblocks and vehicle inspections, crime awareness campaigns, engagement with traditional authorities and community policing forums, as well as collaboration with immigration, customs, and other security clusters.
Shikongo also urged the community to work in harmony with the force, stating that the security of the region is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and armed forces, but rather a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.