Stefanus Nashama
In responding to questions concerning the procurement of uniforms for the Namibian Police last week, it was revealed that there are no local factories that sell or produce materials with the quality of police uniform standards.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the National Spokesperson of the Namibian Police, it is for that reason that the force has to procure uniform materials from outside the country,
“Be informed that all uniform materials are procured outside the country, as there are no local factories to sell or manufacture the said materials,” Shikwambi said.
This is despite other uniform pieces like female belts, hats, and shoe socks, to mention a few, which are procured through local suppliers who acquire the items from elsewhere.
She stressed that it is no secret that Namibia does not have factories to manufacture uniform materials, resulting in the police procuring the materials outside the country.
At the same time, Shikwambi informed that the police equally procure fabrics for the production of its uniform outside the country however, this is through local suppliers, pointing out that only the cut, make, and trim of different pieces are certainly carried out within the country.
She further revealed that the prescribed uniforms or working clothing for the Police are issued at State expense to all members of the Force.
According to her, the procurement of police uniforms forms is part of the State budget through the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises.
Through that, the Police get the annual budget for purchasing uniform pieces, which varies according to allocated funds, she said.
Meanwhile, the Windhoek City Police refused to provide information regarding the procurement of its uniform, which was extensively questioned in June 2020 by the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and now the Former Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Job Amupanda.
Upon questions by Windhoek Observer, the Windhoek City Police, says the procurement of its uniform is carried out according to the provisions in the Public Procurement Act.
This is according to Windhoek City Police Spokesperson, Marcelline Murapo, any information related to the procurement process is confidential, and cannot be disclosed to the public.
This, she said is in line with Section 4 (3) of the Public Procurement Act, Act 15 of 2015.
Amupanda, in 2020, during the launch of the AR election manifesto for the 2020 local authority council, said once the movement is elected to head the City leadership, he would transform the Ramatex building into garment factories and ensure the procurement of the Windhoek City Police uniforms and other city employees are done locally.
This, he said was necessary for local business development and job creation in the country.
He, however, has not responded to questions sent to him, regarding this matter at the time of going to print.
