Oshana police push for marked taxis to curb crime
As part of efforts to combat crime, police in the Oshana Region will begin engaging local authorities to introduce a by-law compelling taxi operators to mark their vehicles for easy identification.
While Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and Rundu already have these regulations in place, major towns in northern Namibia still allow unmarked taxis to operate. Police say this poses a risk to commuters, as criminals may exploit the lack of identification.
In July last year, a week-long public passenger transport workshop was held in Ongwediva, where police and stakeholders discussed the issue of unmarked taxis, among other concerns.
In an interview with Namibian Sun, Oshana Police regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria said there is an urgent need for taxis to be clearly marked.
Sakaria said previous attempts to address the issue had failed because no by-laws exist in northern local authorities to mandate taxi owners to mark their vehicles.
“The problem is how they will have to comply. They need a law. We realised it is the town councils that have to come up with a by-law. What we have decided now is to tackle individual local authorities,” Sakaria explained.
Urgent problem
Namibian Sun reported on the same issue last year, with the police confirming that investigations had found that some vehicles used in criminal activities were operating under the guise of public transport.
Most of these incidents occur at night, when patrons leaving bars or simply needing a ride are robbed by criminals posing as taxi drivers.
Because the vehicles are unmarked, police say it becomes difficult to trace suspects.
Sakaria said the initiative will start with the Oshakati Town Council once the ongoing surveillance camera installation project is completed.
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While Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and Rundu already have these regulations in place, major towns in northern Namibia still allow unmarked taxis to operate. Police say this poses a risk to commuters, as criminals may exploit the lack of identification.
In July last year, a week-long public passenger transport workshop was held in Ongwediva, where police and stakeholders discussed the issue of unmarked taxis, among other concerns.
In an interview with Namibian Sun, Oshana Police regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria said there is an urgent need for taxis to be clearly marked.
Sakaria said previous attempts to address the issue had failed because no by-laws exist in northern local authorities to mandate taxi owners to mark their vehicles.
“The problem is how they will have to comply. They need a law. We realised it is the town councils that have to come up with a by-law. What we have decided now is to tackle individual local authorities,” Sakaria explained.
Urgent problem
Namibian Sun reported on the same issue last year, with the police confirming that investigations had found that some vehicles used in criminal activities were operating under the guise of public transport.
Most of these incidents occur at night, when patrons leaving bars or simply needing a ride are robbed by criminals posing as taxi drivers.
Because the vehicles are unmarked, police say it becomes difficult to trace suspects.
Sakaria said the initiative will start with the Oshakati Town Council once the ongoing surveillance camera installation project is completed.
[email protected]
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