Concession holder calls for stricter enforcement at Sandwich Harbour

The newly appointed concession holder for Sandwich Harbour has raised concerns about alleged illegal tourism operations, vehicle licensing irregularities and safety risks, calling for clearer enforcement powers and closer coordination among regulatory authorities.

Kenneth Kapitako, owner of Sandwich Dune Tours and Safaris and concession holder for the Sandwich Harbour area since 1 April, said inconsistent access control has allowed operators to enter the site without permits, resulting in revenue losses and enforcement challenges.

He made the remarks at Sandwich Harbour over the weekend during a visit by a delegation from the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, led by deputy minister Anselm Marungu.

Kapitako said access control in the area had been limited before the current operating arrangements were introduced.

New access controls had highlighted "what the government has been losing over the years in terms of revenue", he added.

While the concession had taken steps to restrict access by non-compliant operators, clearer legal authority is needed to strengthen enforcement, Kapitako noted.

He raised several concerns with the visiting delegation.

"Since 1 April, we have noticed two companies duplicating licence discs, NTB discs and Road Authority permits on five different vehicles," he said.

"This means NTB is losing revenue because those operators are not paying licensing fees for all of their vehicles. The Road Authority is also losing revenue because those discs must be renewed annually."

Kapitako said the tourism ministry had already issued a letter authorising the concession holder to identify illegal vehicles entering the park.

"However, we do not have NTB inspectors here on a daily basis," he noted, adding that if "we receive written authority from NTB, it will allow us to assist both the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism in ensuring that every vehicle entering the area is compliant".

New rules

Kapitako cited a recent complaint involving a tour operator who allegedly carried eight passengers in a vehicle designed to transport six.

"If something happens involving an overloaded vehicle, it damages the image of our country," he said.

However, when staff questioned the operator, they were allegedly dismissed and told: "Who are you? You're not a traffic officer. You're not NTB."

He said discussions had taken place with NTB officials and representatives of the tourism ministry regarding a formal letter authorising concession staff to verify permits, vehicle compliance and passenger limits.

Such authority would support coordinated enforcement between concession operators and government agencies in the absence of daily NTB inspections at the site, he said.

Erongo regional police commander Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, who was also in attendance, said better collaboration is needed between all stakeholders.

"If fines are involved, the relevant authorities should be informed so that enforcement can take place. Operators need to understand that it is no longer business as usual and that compliance with the law is required. We need to work together and determine the best way to address and control these illegal activities."