Okahandja police to step up foot patrols

The Okahandja police say foot patrols will become more frequent in response to residents’ concerns about safety and policing in the town.

Okahandja station commander Mathias Tjarimba told Windhoek Express the decision followed a meeting with residents on 15 August, attended by acting inspector general of the Namibian Police, Anne-Marie Nainda.

Tjarimba said the patrols would be stepped up to improve police visibility, prevent crime and address concerns raised by residents across the town.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve safety in Okahandja, with police calling on residents to work closely with law enforcement as concerns over drug abuse and the sale of illegal substances grow.

Windhoek Express joined a police patrol on Tuesday and witnessed several of the challenges officers face, particularly in the informal settlement, where poor street lighting made it difficult to move safely through some areas.

Among the community

The patrol highlighted a range of social problems.

Children were seen selling kapana on the streets late at night, while police confiscated dagga, small bags, pocket knives, vapes and illegally imported YES cigarettes.

Officers also encountered parents drinking alcohol in the presence of their children, which police described as part of wider social problems affecting communities.

Police urged residents to report suspicious activities and cooperate with officers as they intensify efforts to combat drug abuse and other forms of crime.

The patrol was also overshadowed by a fatal incident at Ekunde No. 2, where a 26-year-old man died after allegedly being struck with a spear during a fight.

Tjarimba said the foot patrols would continue as police work to address residents’ concerns and improve community safety. The initiative is expected to bring officers closer to residents while giving police a clearer understanding of the challenges facing different neighbourhoods in Okahandja.