By Marx Itamalo /
The police in Ohangwena have indicated their readiness to protect lives and property in the region during the upcoming festive season.
Ohangwena police spokesperson warrant officer Andreas Nghiyolwa said this in a telephonic engagement with this publication this week, stating that the police are expected to start with festive season patrols as from next week.
“As is normal in Ohangwena and elsewhere in the country, our officers always start with patrols around this time due to the number of people and visitors visiting during the festive season,” said Warrant Officer Nghiyolwa.
“As you are aware, this is the time when we have a high concentration of people in the region, and where you find large numbers of people is always where you find problems and crime,” he stressed.
Nghiyolwa indicated that their patrols will primarily focus on curbing crimes such as theft, housebreaking, robberies, contraband smuggling and anti-social behavior.
“Police presence always enhances security wherever you go. When there are police officers in the streets or even non-urban centres, people are unlikely to commit crime, and that is the reason we are going to start next week,” he said.
Another area that will also receive priority is traffic. He said reckless behavior on the part of drivers has been observed on the region’s roads and that the police in Ohangwena would set up road blocks at strategic places across the region during the festive season.
“Reckless behavior and drunken driving will not be tolerated at all. Those who will make themselves guilty will face the law.
“We will also scrutinize vehicles’ roadworthiness status and vehicles that are not roadworthy would not be allowed to drive on the roads.”
He cautioned members of the public to be vigilant and employ measures to protect their homes, vehicles and properties during the festive season.
“Inform your neighbor when you are going away. Don’t leave valuables in vehicles and don’t carry large amounts of cash. Also, make sure, you know your employees well if you are a business person.”
Last week, national police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said the police have rolled out specifics to all regional commanders on how to conduct policing during the festive season.
She said all regional police forces were instructed to follow the set specifics on how to deal with operations during the festive season. She implored members of the public to fully co-operate with the police during the time.
In the photo: Ohangwena Regional Police spokesperson WO Andreas Nghiyolwa.
