In a bid to tackle transnational crime more effectively, Joseph Shikongo, Namibia‘s Police Inspector General, has urged for the introduction of intelligent and achievable strategies to combat organised crime syndicates and networks. He recognises that criminal activity has evolved into an international concern, no longer solely within the purview of national authorities.
Namibian Police Inspector General Shikongo, speaking at the conclusion of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO)’s 28th annual general meeting last week, called on all Interpol national central bureaus to bolster their collaboration with police forces across southern Africa.
“We need to acknowledge the international nature of organised crime and encourage all Interpol bureaus to continue striving for a more coordinated effort amongst the region’s police forces and services,” Shikongo explained.
In his view, the spirit of regional collaboration among law enforcement networks is a potent tool against criminals capitalising on the intricate operational environment in the region. Still, he noted that international police cooperation remains a work in progress, insisting that following through on the meeting’s decisions would pave the way for members to collectively surmount the region’s challenges and complexities.
Shikongo stressed the importance of unity among police forces as an essential element in strengthening security and reducing crime in the region. This statement was in response to Kealeboga Moruti, acting director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, who indicated that efforts by southern Africa to counteract transnational organised crime were being undermined by a disjointed approach among member states and disparate law enforcement agencies.
Interpol’s Secretary General, Jürgen Stock, shared Shikongo’s sentiments. He stated, “We are policing a borderless criminal landscape, hence my urgent call for bolstering cooperation among regional and international law enforcement agencies.”
This call for unity arises against a backdrop of a worrying regional crime threat assessment for the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The assessment lists illicit arms and explosives trafficking, cash-in-transit heists, illicit drug trafficking, and cybercrime among other major concerns.
Emphasising the significance of Interpol’s resources, Stock reported that the agency’s global databases contain approximately 127 million records. “So far this year, more than 1.3 billion checks have resulted in roughly 283,000 hits, each one potentially leading to a breakthrough in an investigation,” he added.
However, he expressed regret over the underutilisation of Interpol’s digital policing tools in southern Africa. In response to this, Interpol has initiated over 15 training programmes in the region through its Harare regional bureau, aimed at boosting the capacity of law enforcement agents.
Stock also highlighted Interpol’s ongoing Africa joint operation against cybercrime as a pivotal initiative in combating the cyber threats that continue to adversely affect the region.
