By: Eba Kandovazu
Newly appointed Oshana Regional Commander Commissioner Naftal Sakaria says his approach to leading the region will be that of community-oriented policing. He says it aligns with the police’s strategic plan and falls under a pillar of building partnerships.
“We will aggressively pursue to enhance stakeholder cooperation. The cooperation, as indicated, is already there, and we will simply continue pursuing this approach. We will therefore put together a team to start with community activities in order to have a clear understanding of which problems are faced by which community or by which area. It is imperative to point out that to achieve in this endeavour, we will need especially our business community to come on board. It is crucial that our business community meets us halfway to ensure sustained police operations,” Sakaria said.
Sakaria replaces Commissioner Rauha Amwele, who officially retired on Sunday.
He says he will strive to provide leadership which inspires and allows for trust.
Police Chief Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga, on his part, said he is proud of the work Amwele has done, leading to her retirement.
“We should not just be bosses when we take office but be committed public servants. We should be polite, objective and honest, Impartial service givers without fear or favour. Let us Treat everyone as equals and remember that we are all Namibians and equal before the law. We expect that the new regional commanders will always maintain good relations. I urge you to consult with the outgoing regional commanders,” he said.
Ndeitunga called for a Spirit of hard work and patriotism.
“Love your country, and that will demonstrate itself in your work. As I exit the force, I am proud of the team I have set up. We see infightings within public services, but I have a unified team. I am sure the person taking after me will continue unifying the team. I am proud to have led a team of committed, knowledgeable police officers,” he said.
Ndeitunga, who is set to retire at the end of August, added that his journey was not easy.
“I am sure that come 31 August, I will say finally I am free. I have probably offended some in the quest to maintain order, but it wasn’t intentional. As a leader, you must accept criticism,” he maintained.
Amwele, in her farewell speech, extended gratitude to Ndeitunga for “the confidence he bestowed upon her”. She has served the police for 32 years.
“I am indebted to you. This is a day of memories and thanksgiving. I can confidently say it was a long journey. For the past few days, memories have been flooding my mind. As a child, I never imagined I would one day ascend and become the regional commander of Oshana region.”
In her liberation struggle journey, Amwele said she, in 1979, decided to join the struggle, and her military journey has started since.
She said she was sent to Tanzania to start her first basic police training together with others for nine months in 1981.
“31 colleagues and I were chosen to remain while others returned to Angola. We studied an inspectors course and went back to Angola. In 1988 I was sent to study in Lusaka, where I stayed for almost two years. In 1990 I camped to the Katutura police station. I was among the first entrusted with the establishment of the Namibian police. I then went to Luipards valley college, which is now known as the Patrick Iyambo police training college and later got deployed to Ondangwa police Station and appointed station Commander. In 1993 I was promoted to chief Inspector. I was the first female to be appointed as such,” she said.
She said in 2009, she was transferred to Oshakati and appointed deputy Commissioner and Deputy regional commander in Oshana.
Sakaria holds a national diploma in Policing from the University of Pretoria, an honours degree in police practising from Southern business school and criminal justice bachelor’s degree from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
