Shikongo slams ‘negligent’ border patrol officers

Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo has slammed border patrol officers for negligence, pointing to recent security lapses that have exposed critical vulnerabilities in the country’s border and infrastructure security.Speaking at the opening of a leadership development training course for over 50 commanders in Rundu, Shikongo expressed outrage over incidents where officers abandoned their posts, leaving national assets unprotected and vulnerable to criminals."It's very disturbing when you hear [of] an officer guarding a building [who] then leaves, and people come in to break in. It's unacceptable," he said.He also criticised officers for their failure to act when witnessing crimes, calling this negligence a betrayal of their sworn duty. “When you see a crime being committed, you think it’s not your duty to intervene. But it is your duty as a police officer to deal with any criminal activity in your presence. If you see something, it is your duty to attend to it,” he said, warning that officers neglecting their responsibilities would face consequences.Ill-preparedAmid growing concerns over cross-border crimes such as smuggling and infrastructure sabotage, Shikongo said the current leadership in the border and infrastructure protection directorate was ill-prepared to address these rising threats."The duty of a police officer is not just about being present, it’s about being prepared to act. The leadership at our borders needs to be adaptive, strategic and capable of making decisions in complex and often challenging situations.”Shikongo announced plans to overhaul leadership at key border posts and introduce strategic training to improve officers' readiness. "We are planning to acquire more equipment, including observation cameras, boats and vehicles. Our officers should be able to monitor areas, even if posts are 25 kilometres apart. We can’t afford gaps in our border protection," he said.The police chief further urged officers to adopt a more proactive approach. "We want to see change from here. We want to go out and lay ambushes, ensure observation posts are fully operational," he said, highlighting the importance of thorough briefings before and after shifts to maintain operational readiness.Crucial stepThe five-day training course focuses on crisis management, strategic decision-making and team dynamics, skills vital to improving the performance of officers stationed at critical border points."Our nation's sovereignty is at stake. This leadership training is a crucial step towards ensuring those responsible for protecting our borders and infrastructure are equipped with the skills to address immediate and long-term challenges,” Shikongo noted.The head of the border and infrastructure protection directorate, David Indongo, said it was established on 1 February 1996 with a force of 8 000 members, but now faces a severe manpower shortage."The current strength stands at 1 930 members. This huge variance is attributed to mass retirements, deaths, resignations, discharges and other factors," Indongo said.Despite the shortage, he praised the dedication of the remaining personnel."I must testify that our members have had tangible successes over the years due to their hard work, discipline, loyalty, patriotism and dedication.” Indongo also called for more resources, including fleet improvements, personnel and better living conditions at border posts."This will motivate our officers - especially those who have served for long periods - boosting morale.”nikanor@erongo.com.na

Shikongo slams ‘negligent’ border patrol officers

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-20

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Shikongo slams ‘negligent’ border patrol officers

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-20

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