Kavango West Region's regional leaders and the police have called for community collaboration in addressing crime and in accelerating development across the region.
The leaders made the appeal while visiting Silikunga Village in the Mpungu Constituency of Kavango West, as part of one such community outreach programme.
Engaging with the community, Kavango West Police Commander Julia Sakuwa-Neo and Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo stressed the need for a collaborative approach to tackling crime and driving regional progress.
Commissioner Sakuwa-Neo encouraged community members to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to tackle crime, emphasising the crucial role parents play in shaping safer communities.
She urged parents to guide their children on the importance of discipline and obedience, values she said that foster safe communities.
Community members in the Mpungu Constituency raised multiple concerns regarding inadequate government services, infrastructure gaps, and safety issues affecting their daily lives.
They bemoaned the lack of adequate policing services in the area, citing personal experiences with stock theft incidents where he received insufficient assistance from law enforcement authorities. This has left many residents feeling vulnerable and unprotected against criminal activities.
Meanwhile, parents expressed serious concerns about their children's safety, particularly regarding the long distances children have to walk to school.
They said these extended journeys expose young people to various dangers, including the risk of trafficking, creating anxiety among families about their children's well-being.
The community's concerns highlight the need for improved service delivery, infrastructure development, and enhanced safety measures to address the challenges facing residents in their daily lives.
The governor appealed to police to launch a region-wide crackdown on drug-related activities, citing growing concerns that drug abuse is contributing to the increase in the crime rate in the region.
The Kavango West Regional Council, through its community outreach programme, intends to visit all eight constituencies before 19 June.