Joint push against agricultural crime

The fight against agricultural crime and boosting the safety of Namibia's rural communities took centre stage during a meeting between Namibia's farming community and senior police officers earlier this month.

The meeting, held on 12 June, was led by Namibian Police Major-General Elias Mutota and attended by police commanders and officials, representatives of three agricultural unions and delegates from five farming districts represented through the Joint Crime Prevention Forum (JCPF).

The Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) said participants reviewed progress on matters discussed at previous meetings before turning their attention to new issues affecting the agricultural sector.

The growing presence of drones operating in Namibian airspace was a key topic.

While participants acknowledged the value of drone technology in agriculture and other industries, concerns were raised about the lack of regulation governing their use.

Delegates noted that uncertainty remains over what constitutes commercial or recreational drone operations and how such activities should be monitored and enforced.

Members called on the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority to provide clearer guidance and regulatory direction to assist both users and law enforcement agencies.

Join hands

Meanwhile, police officials encouraged farmers to actively participate in organised crime-prevention structures such as farm watches, neighbourhood watches and other community-based safety initiatives.

NAU said these structures provide an effective platform for cooperation between rural communities and law enforcement agencies, enabling information sharing and coordinated responses to criminal activity.

The union said police leadership also committed to increasing visibility in rural areas and improving responsiveness to community concerns. Officials acknowledged that delays had hampered certain processes in the past and undertook to address these shortcomings.

Another concern raised was poor connectivity in remote farming areas.

Participants highlighted the potential of satellite internet and called on government to support service providers that can expand network coverage into rural regions. Improved connectivity would enhance communication between farmers and authorities and enable the use of surveillance technologies, such as security cameras.

Participants also expressed strong support for the establishment of a specialised court to deal with stock theft and poaching cases, the union said.

Such a court, they argued, could help streamline legal processes and improve outcomes in agricultural crime matters.

Additional proposals included the creation of a livestock DNA database to assist investigators in identifying stolen animals and linking evidence to crime scenes more effectively.