Community structures, police reservists and police to strengthen working relationship

Sharlien Tjambari

The Swakopmund Community Structures, Police Reservists and the Police gathered on Tuesday this week to discuss matters pertaining to crime, crime statistics and how to strengthen their working relationship and communication to successfully fight crime and protect the community.

Addressing the community structures, the incoming Swakopmund Police Station Commander, Inspector Ruben Shapumba said community structure, the police reservists and the police need to work together. Shapumba further said: “We are not in competition; our aim is to serve our community and make sure that we protect them and protect the properties”.
During the meeting, Detective Inspector Rosa Tjihavero shared recent crime statistics and said one of the major concerns is housebreaking at residence and business areas. There were 15 housebreaking cases recorded in June, 11 in July and 5 in August. Tjihavero said: “We realised that we have more housebreaking at business premises in July and from the 11, 4 arrests were made”.
ATM, Internet and E-wallet fraud is also a concern in Swakopmund. In June the police recorded five cases of fraud, nine in July and 6 in August. Tjihavero described the latest N$300 000 cash in transit robbery involving the G4S security as the most critical crime that Swakopmund have ever seen during this past three years that she has been in charge at the Crime Investigating Department (CID). “Our town has become a target; armed robberies are taking place every day. This problem of cash in transit is happening everywhere in Namibia, meaning it is our duty to stand up and prepare ourselves”, Tjihavero stressed.