President on the beat

President Hage Geingob has called for increased police visibility and responsiveness this festive season and said he would join the police on one of its patrols.

The president said he was particularly concerned about criminals targeting the elderly and visitors to restaurants and public spaces at night.

He informed the police chiefs to “let everyone know it will not be business as usual this festive season”.

According to him the country is characterised by peace and stability and therefore cannot allow lawlessness to gain a foothold.

“We need to instil fear in the unruly elements in our society,” he added.

“Where is my uniform?” he quipped.

“We must set a day aside for a police raid before Christmas where we, all of us, can move around Katutura and other places.”

The president also informed police chiefs that the area around the Klein Windhoek police station, where there are several restaurants, has turned into a crime hotspot.

“Apparently some young people hide in the dark and when people leave the restaurants, some of them elderly, they attack and rob them,” he said.

The president commended the police for a job well done, particularly their recent successes in the fight against drug smuggling.

“Government is trying to build a peaceful, stable and harmonious country, and it has to be made clear to everyone. There is no place for narcotics in the Namibian House,” he said.

JEMIMA BEUKES