New dogs a blessing: Ndeitunga

New dogs a blessing: Ndeitunga 18 canine officers join Namibian Police The Ministry of Finance allocated N$800 000 to the police for the purchasing of trained sniffer dogs from South Africa. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, says the new dogs that the force has acquired are a sign that the police are taking the combating of crime to another level in 2017.

The police acquired 18 dogs of different breeds from South Africa in December for the combating of various types of crime.

The breeds include Belgian Malinois, German shepherd, Labrador retriever and ridgeback.

Speaking in an interview with Namibian Sun yesterday, Ndeitunga praised the Ministry of Finance for allocating N$800 000 for the purchasing of the animals.

“Our dog unit is very small and has never been well equipped over the years, which made it difficult for the force to operate.

“That is why I would like to thank the Ministry of Finance for making all this possible in order these dogs.

“Now we have acquired some dogs which will cover sensitive areas all over the country, including fighting of poaching.

“Criminals must now beware that things are getting even more serious and we are coming after them,” Ndeitunga said.

The South African dogs have already been trained, but Ndeitunga said they still needed specialised training before they were deployed.

The police expect to deploy the new canine officers to their duty stations in February.

“These dogs are very expensive and that is why the force has not been able to have more of them here in the country.

“It is now important that we utilise them in the right way given the price tag they come with,” Ndeitunga said.

The police have dog units in Walvis Bay, the Kunene Region and Windhoek.

The Head of the Crime Investigation Directorate, General Maritz du Toit, also said it was important for the force to acquire trained dogs.

“The price is a bit hefty, but it is cheaper to buy dogs that have been trained and gone through various medical check-ups over the years than raising them ourselves.

“A police dog is very important because one dog can do the job of many human beings put together.

“The dogs are specialised in detecting many things and are very useful at airports and borders,” Du Toit said.