Namibia 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime is a serious concern in Windhoek and other areas throughout Namibia. The State Department identified Namibia as a critical crime threat location in April 2008 and that threat level has remained the same ever since. Robbery, mugging, and theft occur frequently, especially in downtown shopping areas and locations where foreign visitors tend to congregate.

Americans visitors to Namibia have fallen victim to street crime on numerous occasions. Incidents occur more frequently after dark than during daytime hours. In the vast majority of incidents, victims who surrender their belongings without resistance survive the encounter unharmed. Criminals sometimes display knives and occasionally firearms. The Namibian police are severely hampered by resource constraints that prevent the establishment of an effective deterrent to crime.

The most common crimes are non-violent crimes of opportunity, such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, vehicle theft, and vehicle break-in. Common sense measures, such as not leaving valuables in parked cars, safeguarding purses, keeping wallets in front pockets, and being alert to one’s surroundings, are the best deterrents against crime. Visitors should not leave valuables unsecured in their rooms and should carry only photocopies of their passports while touring the city. The vast majority of crime that now occurs in Windhoek is petty street crime. Thieves use stealth and surprise to commit crimes of opportunity, such as pick-pocketing and “grab-and-run.”

Americans visiting Windhoek should not expect to experience any hostility or aggression because of their citizenship. In fact, the atmosphere for Americans is welcoming and receptive. There have been no visible signs of anti-Americanism displayed by the press or the government of Namibia. Americans who visit Namibia are encouraged to register with the Consular Section at the embassy and check the most recent Country Specific Information sheet on Namibia at http://travel.state.gov.

Political Violence

Eighteen years of stable, democratic government have helped minimize the threat of political violence in Namibia. Since the peaceful transition of presidential authority in March 2005, the Namibian government has showcased the ability of competing interests to resolve their differences within existing political frameworks. Street demonstrations are rare, with labor unions occasionally staging marches. Organizers generally enforce discipline in their ranks and avoid direct confrontation with the authorities.

Bilateral relations between Namibia and the United States are good. Disagreement over U.S. foreign policy has at times resulted in anti-American sentiment, including occasional, small-scale demonstrations against the U.S. government, most recently in 2003 and 2007. Notwithstanding these infrequent demonstrations, there have been no reports of hostility directed toward Americans on the streets.

Post-specific Concerns

Driving can be very hazardous in Namibia. Traffic fatalities among foreign visitors are frequent. Namibia’s network of gravel secondary roads can be especially treacherous, particularly during the rainy season. Defensive driving is essential to safely manage road conditions and the excessive speed used by many other drivers. Driving at night outside urban areas is dangerous, as unlit roads make it difficult to see road obstructions and the frequent large game animals that cross the roads. Visitors planning to drive outside Windhoek should plan to arrive at their destination before dark. Vehicles should be in top condition and equipped with spares, food, water and emergency medical supplies. Drivers in urban areas should be aware that taxis often stop abruptly to pick up and discharge passengers, resulting in frequent rear-end collisions.

Namibian Police checkpoints are positioned approximately 15 kilometers outside Windhoek on all major highways, as well as at the town of Oshivelo in northern Namibia. During the holiday season, additional checkpoints are sometimes established along the Windhoek-coast highway and near medium-sized towns. Most vehicles are allowed to proceed without inspection, but drivers should be prepared to produce vehicle registration documents, personal identification (passport, Namibian identification cards), car rental contracts, and/or drivers’ licenses on request. All drivers should slow to a near stop and proceed only when waved through. Police have fired “warning shots” at vehicles ignoring roadblocks.

Police Response

Local police lack the resources, training and personnel required effectively to deter street crime, and to respond fully to and investigate reported crimes. Long-term visitors should register with the embassy and report to the embassy if they are detained or arrested. Travelers should not challenge the authority of police or soldiers. U.S. Embassy Windhoek maintains excellent relations with the local police force. During an emergency, visitors to Namibia should contact the local police in their area.

Contact numbers (emergency/non-emergency):

Windhoek 
- Windhoek Police: 10111 /209-4111
- Fire/Ambulance: 211-111

Outside Windhoek
- Swakopmund: 064-10111 /402431
- Mariental: 063-240666 /10111
- Luderitz: 063-10111 /202255
- Gobabis: 062-10111 /562315
- Tsumeb: 067-2235017 /0111
- Rundu: 066-255014 /255014
- Oshakati: 065-10111 /223600
- Otjiwarongo: 067-10111 /300600

Visitors can also contact U.S. Embassy Windhoek at telephone number (264-61) 295-8500 if assistance is needed in communicating with law enforcement officials.

Medical Emergencies

Windhoek has a number of adequate medical facilities and medical evacuation facilities, including:

MediClinic Hospital in Windhoek (061-222687)

Roman Catholic Hospital (061-2702911)

International SOS (private ambulance and medical evacuation)

--061-230505
- -081-129-6300
--112 from a local cell phone

Windhoek Municipal Emergency Services (061-290-2702)

For medical emergencies outside of Windhoek, visit the closest hospital in the region. For serious injuries, medevacs throughout Namibia may be arranged through ISOS offices located in Windhoek, Tsumeb, Kombat, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund:

The telephone numbers for International SOS (ISOS):

- Tsumeb: 081-1285501
- Kombat: 081-1285501
- Otjiwarongo: 081-1296300
- Swakopmund: 064-200-200
- Walvis Bay: 064-200-200

The Embassy recommends that all visitors have medical evacuation insurance before arrival in Namibia. The Embassy receptionist and after-hours duty officer can be reached at 264-61 295-8500 and can provide a list of doctors, dentist, hospitals, pharmacies, and veterinarians.

Visitors face no specific health threats in Windhoek. Windhoek’s 5,600-foot elevation can cause fatigue or light-headedness. Windhoek’s dry, windy climate can cause dry skin. Because of fine dust and pollen in the air, visitors who suffer from allergies or respiratory ailments should bring appropriate medication. Visitors who anticipate spending time outdoors should use sun block, hats, and skin-covering clothing. Tap water is generally potable throughout Namibia; however if preferred, bottled water is also widely available. While Windhoek, the coast and southern Namibia are malaria-free, malaria prophylaxis is recommended for visitors to rural areas in eastern Namibia and anywhere north of Otjiwarongo. Meningitis immunizations (types A,C,Y and W) and an adult booster for Polio are also recommended.

Visitors to Namibia should be aware that HIV/AIDS is highly prevalent, with approximately 20% of the country’s population infected.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Crime

The precautions useful in any large city will help prevent one from being a victim of crime in Windhoek. Visitors should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times.

Most confrontational crimes involve lone victims and take place in isolated areas. Visitors are advised to travel in groups and remain in high-traffic areas of town. Walking after dark is not recommended.

Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are more likely to take place in downtown shopping areas and other high-traffic locations where foreign visitors congregate. Maximum awareness is recommended in these areas. Carry only as much cash as is required for the day’s business and store the remainder (along with passports, credit cards, and other valuables) in a secure location.

Criminals tend to target victims who carry backpacks or similar personal bags, apparently believing that backpackers carry all their valuables in the bags. Durable plastic shopping bags from local retailers provide a lower-profile alternative.

Cell phone theft is particularly common; visitors should keep cell phones out of sight and use them only in safe locations.

Theft from vehicles is frequently reported. Visitors should refrain from displaying valuables in parked cars. When driving, doors should remain locked and windows should be in the up position.

Local scams include offers to sell rough diamonds or precious stones to tourists, an illegal transaction under Namibian law. Often, the “diamonds” turn out to be worthless glass. Other scams simply consist of one person attempting momentarily to divert the victim’s attention (street children, requests to translate documents, etc.), so that a second perpetrator can take the victim’s wallet, bag or cell phone. Visitors are advised to maintain maximum awareness if approached by strangers for any reason. Residential burglaries in affluent neighborhoods were frequently reported in 2007. Residents who relied on centrally monitored alarm systems, security guards provided by reputable companies, and high-quality door locks and windows grillework were generally less likely to be targeted than those who failed to use such safeguards.

For Further Information

The Consular Section urges all visitors to register with the Embassy upon arrival or before their trip at http://www.travel.state.gov.  The Embassy is located in downtown Windhoek at 14 Lossen Street, Ausspanplatz, (264-61) 295-8500. The Consular Section, Commercial Officer, and Regional Security Officer (RSO) are all located at the Embassy and can be reached at the above numbers. The web site for the U.S. Embassy in Namibia is http://windhoek.usembassy.gov.

OSAC Country Council Information

The Windhoek Country Council is an active group of U.S. private sector organizations.  For more information, contact the RSO or visit http://windhoek.osac.gov.