WINDHOEK, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Namibia recorded a 50 percent reduction in wildlife crime during the 2025/26 financial year following intensified anti-poaching operations and enhanced law enforcement measures, a senior official said on Friday.
Presenting the 2026/27 budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the progress was achieved through coordinated national, regional and cross-border operations targeting illegal wildlife activities.
The operations led to the arrest of 108 suspects and the impounding of 14 vehicles linked to poaching activities, Iipumbu said.
The gains form part of broader efforts to reinforce law enforcement capacity, with crime prevention accounting for the largest share of the ministry's 8.15 billion Namibian dollar (about 497 million U.S. dollars) budget.
"Anti-poaching operations will continue as part of our commitment to safeguarding the country's natural resources," she said.
Beyond wildlife protection, the ministry also carried out multiple crime prevention operations, resulting in more than 2,200 arrests related to drug offenses and the confiscation of illicit assets.
Iipumbu said Namibia is also investing in modern technologies to support law enforcement, including surveillance systems, biometric identification tools and plans to deploy drones and body-worn cameras.
In the coming financial year, the government plans to recruit 2,000 police cadets and expand operational capacity to sustain gains in crime reduction, Iipumbu said.
Wildlife conservation remains a key priority for Namibia, where tourism and biodiversity play a significant role in the economy. ■