By: Priscilla Mukokobi
Retired police crime investigations coordinator of the Zambezi region Evans Simasiku has warned that continued budget cuts on the police force could lead to challenges in fighting crime.
Simasiku said that budget cuts on the force affected by the economic downturn that has faced the country over the last five years were one of his biggest challenges during his time on the force.
“When I became the regional crime investigations coordinator, the economy was going down. The resources, wherever we could assist, were very difficult to get. The mobility of the force and the manpower was a challenge. Many people my age are retiring while others have already retired in the past years, and the force at this stage needs more human resources to serve the nation,” Simasiku told The Villager.
His warning comes after Nampol’s inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed that he had received reports from the regions that some of the force’s fuel storage tanks are depleted.
Simasiku said that if more recruitment is not done to fill the gap created by those who are retiring, “I don’t know where we are heading as a country, but it will be very difficult to do the policing if there is no recruitment done. And if there is no mobility of officers to attend to crimes in the whole country, it will be a problem.”
The deputy commissioner retired on Tuesday after serving in the Namibian force for 32years after turning 60.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Simasiku further said that he expects crimes in the region and the country to increase as the population grows.
“The more the nation is expanding, the more crimes come in. In this region, we have cross-border crimes like housebreaking, stock theft, and GBV. Most suspects are foreigners, and when the case goes to the courts, you will find that suspects get leeway. The court will decide that no evidence is delivered, so the suspects are released on bail, and when that happens, the case remains without being finalised.”
Simasiku said that he has enjoyed working tirelessly with his counterparts and sharing information on his retirement.
He further said in 2017, when he came to the Zambezi region, his career took a special turn when he started dealing with foreign countries like Botswana and Zambia.
“As a retired person, I’m going home. I’m going to do crop and cattle farming. I have an orchard where I produce fruits,” he said.
Simasiku further said he enjoyed his work, but now home is calling where he has to dedicate his time to his family.
He said serving on the force was not easy however his parents encouraged and supported him.
Simasiku added that he’s still useful to the state. “The state will still need me in many aspects that the will need testimonies for strong cases. I am ready to help fellow Namibians if they need help. I will still be available for them.”
He urged people who are still in offices to stay strong and serve the nation heartedly.
