Shikongo

Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo has expressed concerns over the inadequate leadership skills among station commanders across the country, on whose watch facilities have deteriorated.Shikongo shared his concerns at the official opening of a five-day leadership development training course for 49 C-class station commanders from all 14 regions, which took place yesterday in Rundu. He emphasised the urgent need for improved leadership at C-class level, saying poor leadership skills are hindering the overall performance of the police force.“Station commanders, you are the managers of your stations. You must know your members, crime situation and deployment plan. The regional commander cannot always be present, especially in inland areas,” he said.“Sometimes, stations with cells have overcrowded conditions, and communication is lacking.“For example, if one station’s cells are full, they should communicate with other stations which may have space. There was an instance when the regional commander from Zambezi planned to transfer 80 to 100 inmates to the Grootfontein Correctional Service without checking with other regions. We discovered that Omega 1 only had three inmates, so we arranged for some inmates to be moved there,” he explained.Enhancing capacityShikongo highlighted that the five-day course aims to enhance station commanders’ capacity, capabilities and strategic thinking.Station commanders are appointed to support regional commanders, he said.He further highlighted the “alarming state” of police infrastructure, noting that many police stations are in poor condition. “I visited several stations, including Okangoro and Epembe, where I observed inadequate facilities, lack of proper accommodation and general neglect. I have witnessed first-hand the challenging conditions our officers are working under. Stations lack necessities such as fences and proper accommodation, which not only hampers the efficiency of our operations but also affects the morale of our officers,” he said.Shikongo added that the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of police officers in the regions falls on the regional commanders. “They must regularly visit and assess the conditions of their stations and take immediate action to address any issues.”Concrete stepsMeanwhile, the police chief praised station commanders for their dedication and commitment, adding that they continue to perform their duties under difficult circumstances.As part of his commitment to improving the police force, Shikongo pledged to continue his unannounced visits to various stations to ensure that progress is made and that issues are addressed.He further announced plans for infrastructure development and renovation projects. “We are taking concrete steps to address these infrastructure issues. Renovation projects are already underway in several regions, and we are committed to ensuring that all our police stations are equipped with the necessary facilities to enable our officers to perform their duties effectively.”– nikanor@erongo.com.na

Shikongo

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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Shikongo

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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