Oshakati
“Active, tough and stubborn”, were some of the adjectives used to describe the Police Regional Commander for Oshana, Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, who is heading into early retirement.
Kashihakumwa this week put to bed speculation about his future when he confirmed that he is leaving the police force to focus on family life.
He will be replaced by Deputy Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner Rauha Amwele, who takes over the reins today as commissioner and regional commander of Oshana.
“I did not enjoy the Independence [Day celebrations]. I did not rest and my children only know me during holidays and weekends for the 10 years I have spent outside Windhoek,” Kashihakumwa told the media here yesterday.
“I now have time to join my family and see what I can do while I am still energetic,” said the 57-year-old Kashihakumwa.
He, however, gave assurances that he would continue to render his support as and when needed and would continue to serve the country, while enjoying time with his family at home.
Kashihakumwa was instrumental in the reduction of crime in Oshana. He singled out unity within the police force, as well as working hand in hand with the community, as some of the factors that led to successes in reducing crime in Oshana.
This, he said, was achieved by bringing the police and community together to educate them about the concept of policing and the need to police crime-ridden areas.
Under his leadership the police also conducted regular meetings with the general public to educate them about the importance of joining hands with law enforcement officers in combating crime.
As a result, the women and men’s network was formed to assist in fighting crime in the communities.
“Unity within the force is the only thing that was lacking at the time. Teamwork makes everything possible. It was not easy to defeat the core criminals in the region, but when the police joined hands with the women and men’s network, it was just like a dream,” he said.
Kashihakumwa, with his vast experience in leadership, walks away a contented man, as under his watch Oshana Region became a safer place for its inhabitants.
He called upon the police to continue rendering support to the community and to do away with pettiness, such as informing the public that there is no vehicle when called to assist.
Since Independence, Kashihakumwa has served as a counter-intelligence officer at State House, lieutenant at the Namibian Defence Force, as well as investigating officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Kashihakumwa also served as a Chief Inspector when the VIP division was formed in 1996, as well as Regional Commander of Omusati in 2005 before he was transferred to Oshana in 2006.
Kashihakumwa left for exile in 1975 and was among the few people who were entrusted with Namibia’s first president, Sam Nujoma’s safe return to Wanaheda on September 14, 1989, where he stayed until he was sworn in as president on March 21, 1990.
“I was there during his travel to Wanaheda. I was entrusted with his life and I was the last person to close that door,” Kashihakumwa reminisced as he recalled his rich political history.