Justicia Shipena
Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 165 murders were committed with firearms in the country.
In 2021, the Namibian police (Nampol) recorded 36 firearm-related murders, rising to 56 in 2022, which marked the highest annual total. In 2023, 38 cases were recorded, and 35 were recorded in 2024, bringing the total to 165.
Nampol deputy inspector general Elias Mutota also highlighted attempted murder cases involving firearms. In 2021, police recorded 115 cases. In 2022, there were 132 cases, rising to 141 in 2023 and 150 in 2024.
He said firearm-related crimes remain high, including robberies, attempted murders, and pointing a firearm at another person.
“These statistics are a clear indication that crimes involving firearms are a serious concern to our societies and the country in general,” Mutota said.
Robbery cases with aggravating circumstances stood at 354 in 2021 and then 454 in 2022. In 2023, 394 cases were reported, while 286 were recorded in 2024. Cases of pointing a firearm at a person reached 249 in 2021, increased to 282 in 2022, then dropped to 256 in 2023 and 225 in 2024.
The September Amnesty Month seeks to reduce these crimes by encouraging people to hand in illegal or unwanted firearms, ammunition, and armaments without fear of arrest or prosecution.
“This is not about punishment; it is about prevention. It is about taking proactive steps to ensure that these dangerous items are removed from circulation before they can cause harm,” Mutota said.
He explained that designated police stations will serve as safe points for surrendering weapons. The process will be confidential, free of charge, and without legal consequences.
“The Namibian Police Force has put up mechanisms to ensure the smooth and secure collection of surrendered weapons during this Amnesty Month,” he said.
Mutota urged traditional leaders, religious organisations, community groups, and the media to support awareness campaigns. “It is only through collective efforts that we can remove illegal firearms from our communities and create safer spaces for all,” he said.
Reflecting on last year’s amnesty, Mutota said 187 firearms were surrendered nationwide, along with 4 443 rounds of ammunition, three air guns, and 14 magazines.
He said the effort aligned with the African Union’s master roadmap for silencing guns in Africa.
“I would like to assure the nation that the Namibian Police Force will welcome everyone who will hand in all unlicensed arms, ammunition, armaments and unwanted arms and related materials without arrest or prosecution. Let us all work together to make this September Amnesty Month a resounding success,” Mutota said.
Home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu also spoke at the launch at Goreangab Sport Field in the Khomas region. She urged Namibians to hand in illegal weapons and stressed the importance of collaboration.
“The success of this programme depends on the collective participation of all stakeholders: government institutions, law enforcement agencies, civil society, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, our youth, and the media,” she said.
Iipumbu stated that Namibia has a history of voluntary disarmament and has established trust in previous years. She encouraged Namibians to change their perception of guns.
“An unlicensed gun is not a tool of protection, it is a threat to peace and security. Let us use this Amnesty Month to rid our communities of illegal firearms. Let us choose peace over violence, dialogue over conflict, and unity over division,” she said.
The African Union has declared September as Africa Amnesty Month for the voluntary surrender and collection of illegally owned weapons.
