The Police Inspector-General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, says the country is still experiencing a high crime rate.
The IG made these remarks at a belated 32nd Police Day anniversary in Windhoek.
"The country is still experiencing a prevalence of crime, particularly violent crimes such as robbery, gender-based violence (GBV) coupled with rape, murder, and attempted murder, and assault GBH, as well as economic crimes, cybercrime, and cross-border and trans-national organized crimes such as human and drug trafficking," said Shikongo.
Between 2021 and 2022, a total of 98,640 criminal cases were reported countrywide, showing an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.
Out of those cases, Khomas, Oshana, and Otjozondjupa regions have the highest crime rates, whereas Kavango West, Kunene, and Omaheke regions recorded the least number of cases.
Overall, serious crimes reported over the period were 324 murders; 1288 cases of rape; 2743 robberies with aggravating circumstances; 4783 GBV cases; 506 attempted murders; 249 pointing of firearms cases; 11 cases of human trafficking; 3 278 cases of stock theft; 2171 cases of drug trafficking; 246 cases of arson; 10 631 housebreakings and thefts; and 389 cases of theft of motor vehicles.
"To this effect, 2,521 suspects were intercepted and arrested, including 134 foreign nationals. An estimated street value of drugs seized was over N$41 million."
The Inspector General also called out members of the force for allowing the smuggling of illegal substances within police holding cells.
"This is one of the biggest diseases where we are encountering contraband ending up in cells, and I think that is an area where we have to do more; that's why the commanders are directed here, that we should do more to ensure that police officers that are not loyal, that are dishonest, that are allowing some of these things to end up in our cells, they must be dealt with procedurally so that we can even fire them from this organization. We don't want NamPol to be an organization for criminals."
The Police Chief also reiterated that traffic offenders with pending warrants of arrest will be granted amnesty from now until January 31, 2023, to pay their admission of guilt fines without having to appear in court.