Police Chief Takes Tourism Unit Under His Wing

Chief Inspector Christina Van-Dunem Da Fonsech

Ja nee, Namibia’s tightening the bolts again to keep our visitors safe — and about time too. You know how it goes in this country: one or two incidents and suddenly the whole world thinks the jackals are running the show.

So, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo decided to pull the Tourism Protection Subdivision right under his own command. Direct line. No detours. Like when you’re towing a trailer through the dunes — better keep that thing close, otherwise it swings you into trouble.

The new head of the unit? Chief Inspector Christina van Dunem Dafonsech — sharp lady, knows her stuff. The team’s job is pretty straightforward: stop criminals from targeting tourists, protect the country’s tourism spots, and keep our visitors feeling as safe as a springbok inside Etosha’s fence line.

Shikongo made the announcement at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College, after all those travel advisories started popping up overseas. Ag man, those things spread faster than gossip at a braai. He said tourist crimes must be handled quickly and professionally — which, ja, I fully agree with. Nothing scares potential visitors like bad headlines.

He also tipped his hat to the officers in the field — the ones running roadblocks, chasing leads, and doing the kind of work that leaves you smelling like dust and diesel by sundown. Good on them.

But the big message? We can’t allow crime to settle into Namibian society like it owns the place. Tourists need to feel safe, locals need to feel safe, and our economy depends on it. You chase away visitors, and the ripple hits everyone from the lodge owners to the guy selling kudu biltong at the koppie.

So ja — Shikongo’s pulling the reins tighter, and if it means safer roads, safer towns, and happier visitors, then I say: bring it on. Namibia’s image is worth protecting. You don’t let a hyena wander into your camp — you chase it out before it chews something important.