Niël Terblanché
Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi says Namibia remains calm and stable, with no major threats to national security detected over the past year.
Speaking at a cabinet committee briefing at the Government Information Centre last week, Kapofi said the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has supported the Namibian Police in maintaining law and order since 1 August 2024.
“The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) has persistently assisted the Namibian Police in the maintenance of law and order,” he said.
He noted that soldiers stationed along the Zambezi border helped curb wildlife poaching and cattle theft.
Kapofi said the NDF was regularly called on to support civilians.
Fifty-two military drivers and 26 trucks were deployed to transport drought relief across ten regions.
NDF helicopters were also mobilised during heavy rains earlier this year.
“The NDF managed to airlift one hundred and twenty tonnes of different drought-relief goods,” he said.
NDF aircraft and boats also helped transport election officials to remote parts of the Zambezi and Kunene regions for voter registration and the recent Kabbe by-election.
On the eastern border, assault pioneers, police officers, and surveyors are clearing an 18-kilometre-long bush strip between Katima Mulilo and Singalamwe.
The work forms part of the African Union Border Management Programme with Zambia.
In Kavango East and Oshikoto, two teams of explosive experts are removing unexploded ordnance to make way for road construction.
Kapofi said training remains a priority. Command and Staff courses are underway in Okahandja.
Two weeks ago, 1 656 recruits, over a fifth of them women, began basic training at the Osona military base near Okahandja.
Namibia continues to deploy officers on United Nations peace missions and remains in compliance with arms-control treaties and the Biological Weapons Convention.
Kapofi said cross-border cooperation with Botswana has grown, supported by the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) sensitisation campaign.
The campaign, now in its second phase, has reached more than 40 villages along the Chobe and Okavango rivers.
“The initiative seeks to sensitise the communities living in the border areas on the dangers of all sorts of border crimes by raising awareness and promoting peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness,” he said.
On veterans’ affairs, Kapofi reported that 29 552 former freedom fighters have received once-off gratuities. Another 19 852 veterans receive a monthly N$2 200 subsidy.
Individual Veterans Projects valued at N$268 million have funded 1 584 small enterprises.
A six-member committee has also started locating and exhuming the remains of combatants buried in unmarked graves during the liberation struggle.
Kapofi thanked NDF members for their service and support during emergencies.
He said the ministry stands ready to protect Namibia’s national interests and assist communities in need.
