Manpower, ageing fleet strain border protection
Much work remains to be done to improve conditions
Only 1 930 members are currently active in the Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, a shortfall of 1 061 officers.
The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo has raised concerns over the critical challenges facing law enforcement, ranging from shortages in manpower, uniforms, transport and accommodation.
The Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate (BIPD) is among the divisions heavily impacted.
These issues were brought to light in a speech read on Shikongo’s behalf by Kavango East regional commander, Commissioner Andreas Haingura, during the BIPD’s annual command conference in Rundu on Monday.
The conference aimed to unite divisional commanders to assess the progress made since the 2021 resolutions, review administrative and operational concerns and address the ongoing challenges faced by the directorate.
Manpower
Shikongo revealed that while the BIPD was established in 1996 with a strength of 8 000 members, the current approved strength for 2023/2028 stands at 3 011 members. However, due to high staff turnover, only 1 930 members remain active, a shortfall of 1 061, despite the addition of 100 recruits during the 2023/2024 financial year.
He highlighted that the directorate is still severely understaffed. “This predicament has placed the directorate in a difficult position when it comes to fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding national borders, providing security, controlling entry points and guarding vital government infrastructure.”
He also expressed concern over the condition of the BIPD’s vehicle fleet, noting that many vehicles have exceeded their operational lifespan, leading to high maintenance costs.
“This issue affects not only your directorate but the entire Namibian Police Force,” he said, urging commanders to ensure proper vehicle maintenance in accordance with the store manual.
Living conditions
Shikongo also addressed the substandard living conditions of officers, particularly those stationed along Namibia’s borders. While the government is aware of these issues and has begun constructing new infrastructure, he acknowledged that much work remains to be done.
“Although the lack of uniforms remains a challenge, I have instructed the head of procurement and logistics to secure enough uniforms for all members once funds become available,” he added.
Shikongo also announced the reinstatement of the food programme for officers stationed in remote areas. An allocation of N$20 million has been set aside for the 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 financial years to support this initiative.
Despite these challenges, Shikongo expressed optimism about ongoing interventions, urging the directorate’s leadership to collaborate with the training and development and human capital management directorates to ensure the execution of planned training programmes.
Manpower
This is not the first time Shikongo has addressed the dire manpower shortage within the police force. Last year, during preparations for the festive season crime prevention and road safety operations, he highlighted that while the police force’s ideal staffing number is 28 000, the reality falls far short of this target.
“We need to focus on our recruitment efforts to ensure we reach our desired numbers,” Shikongo said at the time.
Meanwhile, Ndiyona constituency councillor Laurentius Mukoya recently made an urgent appeal to the home affairs, safety and security ministry, as well as Shikongo, for police vehicles.
The Ndiyona Police Station currently operates without any vehicles, severely hampering its ability to respond to crimes, especially in remote areas.
“I’m appealing to the ministry and the Inspector General to send us at least two vehicles,” Mukoya said, noting that the area experiences some of the highest levels of stock theft in Kavango East.
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The Border and Infrastructure Protection Directorate (BIPD) is among the divisions heavily impacted.
These issues were brought to light in a speech read on Shikongo’s behalf by Kavango East regional commander, Commissioner Andreas Haingura, during the BIPD’s annual command conference in Rundu on Monday.
The conference aimed to unite divisional commanders to assess the progress made since the 2021 resolutions, review administrative and operational concerns and address the ongoing challenges faced by the directorate.
Manpower
Shikongo revealed that while the BIPD was established in 1996 with a strength of 8 000 members, the current approved strength for 2023/2028 stands at 3 011 members. However, due to high staff turnover, only 1 930 members remain active, a shortfall of 1 061, despite the addition of 100 recruits during the 2023/2024 financial year.
He highlighted that the directorate is still severely understaffed. “This predicament has placed the directorate in a difficult position when it comes to fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding national borders, providing security, controlling entry points and guarding vital government infrastructure.”
He also expressed concern over the condition of the BIPD’s vehicle fleet, noting that many vehicles have exceeded their operational lifespan, leading to high maintenance costs.
“This issue affects not only your directorate but the entire Namibian Police Force,” he said, urging commanders to ensure proper vehicle maintenance in accordance with the store manual.
Living conditions
Shikongo also addressed the substandard living conditions of officers, particularly those stationed along Namibia’s borders. While the government is aware of these issues and has begun constructing new infrastructure, he acknowledged that much work remains to be done.
“Although the lack of uniforms remains a challenge, I have instructed the head of procurement and logistics to secure enough uniforms for all members once funds become available,” he added.
Shikongo also announced the reinstatement of the food programme for officers stationed in remote areas. An allocation of N$20 million has been set aside for the 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 financial years to support this initiative.
Despite these challenges, Shikongo expressed optimism about ongoing interventions, urging the directorate’s leadership to collaborate with the training and development and human capital management directorates to ensure the execution of planned training programmes.
Manpower
This is not the first time Shikongo has addressed the dire manpower shortage within the police force. Last year, during preparations for the festive season crime prevention and road safety operations, he highlighted that while the police force’s ideal staffing number is 28 000, the reality falls far short of this target.
“We need to focus on our recruitment efforts to ensure we reach our desired numbers,” Shikongo said at the time.
Meanwhile, Ndiyona constituency councillor Laurentius Mukoya recently made an urgent appeal to the home affairs, safety and security ministry, as well as Shikongo, for police vehicles.
The Ndiyona Police Station currently operates without any vehicles, severely hampering its ability to respond to crimes, especially in remote areas.
“I’m appealing to the ministry and the Inspector General to send us at least two vehicles,” Mukoya said, noting that the area experiences some of the highest levels of stock theft in Kavango East.
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