Joint Crime Prevention Forum and NAMPOL meet on rural safety 

On Friday, 12 June members of the Joint Crime Prevention Forum (JCPF) met with senior police leadership for a constructive session focused on rural safety and agricultural security.

The meeting was led by Major General Elias Mutota and brought together police heads from the various regions, supported by a strong contingent from the national office in Windhoek. The management of three of the four agricultural unions attended, along with five farming districts representing the JCPF. Members reviewed the minutes of previous meetings before moving on to new business.

A new agenda item was the growing presence of unregulated drones in Namibian airspace. While participants raised concern about the illegal use, they also acknowledged the legitimate benefits of this technology. The representatives concluded that there is currently little clarity on how drones should be governed. Members called for a clear definition distinguishing commercial from recreational use and for guidance on the legality of drone operations, which should be clarified by the Directorate of Civil Aviation to support enforcement. It was noted that no legislation is currently in place to regulate drone use.

Police representatives encouraged farmers to take part in organised agricultural crime structures, such as farm watches, neighbourhood watches, or similar bodies operating under the JCPF umbrella. Participants expressed appreciation for the Forum, noting that it allows the police to engage with a single, unified voice across a broad group of representatives.

The police also emphasised greater visibility and presence on the ground to make law enforcement more effective and undertook to avoid the delays that had hampered processes in the past.

Rural connectivity was raised as a significant obstacle. With satellite internet noted as one option, the meeting requested that the police ask government to look favourably on service providers able to extend network coverage into rural areas, which would enable cameras and communication between farming communities and the authorities.

Although it was not formally on the agenda, the possible establishment of a special court to deal with poaching and stock theft drew broad support. Participants agreed that the option should be investigated to streamline the relevant processes and outcomes and called for livestock slaughter and trade to be handled more professionally by specialists.

Members also discussed obtaining DNA from animals and compiling a DNA database, so that identification can be carried out more easily when crime scenes are investigated.

The governor opened the proceedings, highlighting the importance of agriculture to Namibia and noting that the majority of the country's population depends on it. Participants agreed to hold the meeting annually and a memorandum of mutual understanding is to be signed in Windhoek.