The 3-day consultative meeting of police chiefs from the six member countries—Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—concluded yesterday in Kasane, Botswana.

While resolutions were discussed in a closed-door meeting due to their high sensitivity, nine focal areas were identified. These are cybercrime, stock theft, motor vehicle theft, human trafficking, and drug trafficking; poaching and illegal wildlife trade; proliferation of firearms; illegal mining; vandalism of critical infrastructure; and foot-and-mouth disease.

These are accompanied by timed action items for implementation.

Botswana Police Service Commissioner Dinah Marathe said discussions also focused on joint regional operations.

Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo said his team expects quick implementation, noting that some recommendations could be actioned by year-end.

Shikongo added that talks to make the Ngoma Border Post operational 24 hours will continue.

South African Police Service National Commissioner General Sehlahle Masemola said SADC countries face common challenges, making this meeting essential for mutual assistance.

The consultative meeting stemmed from last year's binational commission between Botswana and Namibia in Windhoek, which addressed transnational organised crime among SADC citizens.