Council, Police strengthen crime-fighting partnership
The Rehoboth Town Council has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) following a high-level courtesy meeting held at the Council Chambers.
The meeting also served as the official introduction of the newly appointed Rehoboth Police Station Commander, Senior Inspector Q. Eiseb, who assumed duty on 22 June 2026.
The NAMPOL delegation was led by Hardap Regional Police Commissioner S.E. Philander, accompanied by senior officers from the regional command. Mayor Jacky Jackson ǂKhariseb thanked the Namibian Police for their continued service to the community, particularly praising proactive policing around schools, which he said has contributed to creating safer learning environments. He also welcomed the reactivation of the Police Public Relations Committee (PPRC), describing it as an important platform for strengthening cooperation between the Police, Council and the community.
"The PPRC remains an important strategic mechanism for crime prevention and community engagement. We value the close working relationship that has existed between the Rehoboth Town Council and the Namibian Police over many years, and we look forward to strengthening it even further," the mayor said. Commissioner Philander reaffirmed NAMPOL's commitment to combating crime throughout the Hardap Region and formally introduced several newly appointed senior officers, explaining that the appointments follow retirements and the filling of vacant positions.
He said Rehoboth continues to face serious policing challenges, including robberies, cellphone theft, house break-ins and stock theft, while noting that the town is regarded as the epicentre of crime in the Hardap Region and is increasingly becoming a drug hub. "Any manager is only as good as the resources at their disposal," Philander said, stressing that effective policing depends on adequate human, financial and material resources.
The commissioner also revealed that police leadership had earlier met with Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Kaptein George Britz and his councillors, where stock theft emerged as one of the greatest concerns facing local farmers. According to Philander, the scale of livestock theft indicates organised criminal activity rather than isolated incidents. "People are in business to sell off their illegal crime proceeds. The quantities in which stock theft occurs indicate that it cannot simply be for personal consumption. We believe there are markets where stolen meat is finding its way," he said.
He added that the Police intend engaging health inspectors to ensure local butcheries comply with food safety legislation and to eliminate possible markets for illegally obtained meat. Looking ahead, Philander announced plans to establish a permanent 24-hour roadblock outside Rehoboth to strengthen law enforcement and improve crime detection. He also outlined NAMPOL's long-term vision of establishing more than three police stations across Rehoboth to improve accessibility and policing.
The commissioner further thanked the Rehoboth Town Council for its continued support of police infrastructure development. While Council had previously donated land for future police facilities, he noted that the land allocated in Block E is no longer sufficient for future expansion.
Mayor ǂKhariseb encouraged the Police to submit a formal request for additional land, assuring them that Council would consider the possibility of donating more land for a future police station and police barracks.
Introducing himself to Council, Senior Inspector Eiseb pledged to uphold the constitutional mandate of the Namibian Police by maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crime, and protecting life and property.
He revealed that Rehoboth accounts for nearly 50% of all reported crime in the Hardap Region, with stock theft, house break-ins and robberies among the most common offences. He also pointed to poor street lighting in several areas as a contributing factor to robberies.
Eiseb announced that the Police Public Relations Committee will meet monthly to review crime trends and develop coordinated responses with community stakeholders. Highlighting the results of his first week in office, he said police operations had already led to eight arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol, eight arrests for drug dealing, the closure of one illegal shebeen operating without a liquor licence, the confiscation of 25 knives during crime prevention operations, and intelligence gathering on illegal shebeens in Burgershoek and Volstruisvlak that will be targeted during future operations. "We are here to change the crime prevalence in Rehoboth," Eiseb said.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the Police and the community. "We do not only want to be called when there is crime or when there is criticism. Call us for motivation, for joint crime prevention operations and for partnership. We must work together, not as isolated stakeholders."
Concluding the meeting, Mayor ǂKhariseb congratulated Eiseb on his appointment and reaffirmed Council's support for the Police.
"The teamwork between the Rehoboth Town Council and the Namibian Police will continue. We are pro-police, and we will assist wherever possible. Together, we can build a safer Rehoboth for all our residents," he said.
