School of Military

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    An investigation into the effectiveness of maritime security in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Namibian waters: A case study of the Kunene river mouth
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Justinu, Avelinu Ngongo
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of maritime security in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities in Namibian waters, with reference to the Kunene River Mouth. To realize this objective, the study evaluated the methods and technologies applied by the respective maritime security agencies in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities at the Kunene River Mouth. The study employed a qualitative approach that is descriptive by design that utilized a case study approach. Moreover, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select participants. The total sampled population was 43 participants comprising of members from the Namibian Navy, Namibian Police Water Wing, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Directorate of Maritime Affairs as well as Namibian Ports Authority. In addition, data was collected through semi structured open-ended interviews, focus group discussions and observation. The research findings revealed that, the current maritime security mechanisms used to counter IUU fishing activities at the Kunene River Mouth are ineffective, owing to the distance of 764 km to be covered by the coastal patrol vessels when launched from Walvis Bay to the Kunene River Mouth, which takes approximately 26-30 hours. The findings also indicated that challenges of inadequate funding for maintenance and fuel for coastal patrol vessels for the Namibian Navy and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources hampered coastal patrols at the Kunene River Mouth. Hence, the lack of coastal patrols conducted at the Kunene River Mouth created a security vacuum that is exploited by illegal foreign vessels. iii In the final analysis, the study recommended that the Namibian Navy with financial support from the Namibian government to establish a naval calling station along the northern Namibian coastline, preferably at Cape Fria that is 200 km from the northern maritime border. It is also recommended that the Namibian government to avail sufficient funding to the Namibian Navy and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the maintenance and fuel for coastal patrol vessels in order to maintain constant presence at the Kunene River Mouth. The study further recommended that the Namibian and Angolan authorities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on hot pursuit for illegal foreign vessels trying to flee into the respective countries territorial waters. Lastly, the study recommended for further research to be carried out on the impact of IUU fishing activities at the Kunene River Mouth on the Namibian economy.
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    An investigation into the factors contributing to the increase of firearms crimes in Windhoek, Namibia, 2015 – 2019.
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Munzenze, Dusken Kweta
    This study focused on factors contributing to the increase in firearms crimes in Windhoek in Namibia. The research objectives for this study were as follows; to examine the factors contributing to the intensification of firearm crimes in Windhoek, Namibia; to analyse the impact of the firearm crimes in Windhoek of Namibia, and to find ways in which firearm crimes in Windhoek can be mitigated. The research found that domestic disputes, abuse of alcohol, lack of counselling of people in dispute, and exposure of people, especially children, to violent situations are contributing to the scourge of violence in Windhoek. It was also found that the high rate of unemployment and subsequent rising poverty levels in Windhoek are among the generating and contributing factors to firearm increase crimes in Windhoek. The study also found that firearm crimes have a negative impact on socioeconomic dynamics in Windhoek. Individuals, families, and communities are feeling these impacts. This is so because some businesses are being forced to cut down on their operating hours due to the fear of being robbed. Similarly, firearm crimes targeting businesspersons are also impacting economic activities because most businesses have reduced their operating hours due to fear of being the next victim. This research has unearthed mitigating measures by increasing the number of police officers who conduct night-time patrols and enhancing police visibility in the City. In addition, the researchers concluded that firearm crimes could be mitigated by training police officers on how to identify and counsel people who are at risk of committing these types of heinous crimes. It is also revealed that the intensification of firearm crimes in Windhoek can be mitigated through strict firearm regulations by the government. Hence, the adoption of comprehensive firearm legislation could go a long way in this regard. This firearm legislation could be in the form of firearm license renewals, repossession of firearms from all firearm crime offenders, firearm crime risky individuals, and providing firearm amnesty to those in possession of illegal firearms.
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    The challenges of communicating global pandemics as national security issue: A case study of COVID-19 in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2023) Shikwambi, Pretunilla Kaunapawa
    This study examined the challenges of communicating global pandemics as national security threat with specific reference to COVID-19 outbreak in Namibia. It was motivated by the articulation of the pandemic as a national security threat through the declaration of state of emergency by the Namibian government. The state of emergency was characterized by the adoption of COVID-19 protocols and regulations such as closing down of some borders, imposing of curfew, restriction of movements, mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, and limited shut down of businesses. However, it became evident that the articulation of the pandemic as a national security threat did not resonate with the Namibian public as evidenced by violation of COVID-19 protocols and regulations. This resulted in numerous arrests and confrontations with security agencies. Through the use of qualitative methods of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and review of documents, data were collected and analysed. From data analysis, it was found that the messaging strategies of the government on COVID-19 security implications were ineffective as a result of mixed messaging and the circulation of false information on social media. Furthermore, it was found that the public mistrusted the government, World Health Organization and others due to inconsistencies in the information provided on the pandemic. On the basis of the findings, recommendations were made to the effect that strengthening of stakeholders’ engagement, engagement of experts as messengers as well as timeous dissemination of relevant information among others are critical to effectively communicating pandemics as national security threats.
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    An analysis of the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic on collective security in the SADC region
    (University of Namibia, 2023) Shaningwa, Naftali
    The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Collective Security in the SADC Region. The study adopted a qualitative research design. Moreover, the total sample for the study was 20 participants from the Namibian Defence Force, Ministry of Intentional Relations and Co-operation, Namibian Police and Namibia Correctional Services as well as scholars in the field of International Relations. Furthermore, the participants were sampled through purposive sampling and the study used semi-structured open-ended interviews. The research findings revealed that, the COVID -19 pandemic has greatly affected Collective Security in the SADC Region. The Collective Security Mechanisms affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is the SADC Standby Force rapid deployment capabilities. During the pandemic, the SADC Strategic Development Plan meetings such as Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO) on Defence, Politics and Security were put on hold, therefore escalating the insecurity in the SADC Region. Moreover, under such circumstances the SADC member states were unable to create a stable political and security environment through which the region is able to realize its objectives of social economic development and Regional Integration. Furthermore, Collective Security was further impacted in terms of personnel; hence, some lost their loved once from the pandemic, which therefore dampen morale for the military and health experts. In the final analysis, the study recommended, vaccination to be mandatory to all Security and health personnel to boost their immune system given the fact that they are the first line or front line workers, which increases the risks of infections. The researcher also recommends for further research on measures to prevent extremist in the SADC Region.