Ohangwena Region Plagued by Vehicle Theft: 51 Stolen in 22 Months

OSHAKATI: The Ohangwena Region has experienced a concerning surge in vehicle theft, with a total of 51 reported stolen in the past 22 months. The region’s local communities, such as Eenhana, Endola Engela, Oshikango, Ondobe, and Ohangwena, have been the primary targets of these incidents.

According to NAMPA, the Namibian Police Force Regional Commander, the stolen vehicles predominantly comprise older Toyota models, including Toyota Corollas. The statistics provided detailed the extent of the issue, with 22 vehicles reported stolen from January to October of the current year, and an additional 29 vehicles stolen between January and December of the previous year.

Kashuupulwa highlighted a cross-border challenge, noting that many of the stolen vehicles are transported to Angola. Despite this, there have been some successes in repatriation efforts, with 10 of the total 51 stolen vehicles recovered and returned from Angola. She emphasized that the process of repatriating vehicles from Angola is intricate and time-consuming.

In light of these circumstances, Commissioner Kashuupulwa called on vehicle owners to remain vigilant and prioritize the security of their vehicles. She urged them to ensure that vehicles are securely parked, aiming to mitigate the risk of theft and safeguard their property.