The Namibian Police is embarking on a major technological modernisation programme after acknowledging that its ageing electronic policing infrastructure is struggling to meet operational demands.
The planned overhaul, which could require substantial capital investment, aims to strengthen criminal investigations, accelerate administrative processes, improve case docket management, and enhance policing services nationwide. In an exclusive engagement with New Era, Acting Inspector-General of NamPol, Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, confirmed that the force’s electronic policing system requires urgent modernisation following persistent performance challenges. Ultimately, NamPol’s technological overhaul represents a potentially significant public-sector ICT investment whose success will depend on financial discipline, implementation capacity, and measurable improvements in service delivery.
“The system has experienced performance challenges, including slow processing and intermittent interruptions, which may affect the timely execution of
certain functions. We have therefore initiated
a process to overhaul and modernise the system,” Nainda told New Era.
The admission highlights the financial and operational challenges confronting government institutions relying on ageing digital infrastructure to deliver essential services. For NamPol, inefficient electronic systems can increase operating costs, reduce employee productivity, delay investigations, and place additional pressure on the criminal justice system.
Although modernisation has commenced, NamPol has not disclosed the anticipated investment, implementation timetable or whether sufficient funding has been secured. The project potentially involves upgrading software, replacing equipment, strengthening network connectivity, improving cybersecurity, and providing specialised ICT training.
“The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) recognises the importance of technology in strengthening policing operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring the effective administration of criminal justice,” Nainda said.
Electronic journey
NamPol’s digital transformation dates back to 2011, when the force-initiated efforts to replace predominantly manual administrative processes with integrated electronic systems. Implementation commenced in 2014 to improve information management, investigations, and operational coordination.
According to Nainda, the current infrastructure incorporates 11 national databases and several electronic governance systems, including the Namibia Automated Biometric Identification System (N-ABIS), which supports fingerprint identification and verification.
“Regarding the current state of the electronic system, it is important to clarify that the E-Policing System remains in existence. However, following years of operation, the system requires upgrading and modernisation to address its current limitations and ensure that it continues to meet the operational needs of the Force,” Nainda explained.
The situation illustrates a broader challenge confronting public-sector digital investments; that technology requires continuous maintenance, periodic upgrades, specialist expertise, and sustained financial commitments.
For NamPol, unreliable systems could result in increased maintenance expenditure, duplicated administrative work, reduced productivity, and greater dependence on manual processes.
“The Namibian Police Force remains committed to leveraging technology to improve policing services and operational efficiency and therefore acknowledge that system-related delays can cause inconvenience and appreciate the public’s patience as these improvements are undertaken,” Nainda stated.
Case dockets
Beyond technological challenges, NamPol addressed concerns regarding the management, preservation and availability of criminal case dockets, essential to Namibia’s justice system. For businesses, efficient docket management is particularly important in cases involving financial fraud, theft, corruption, cybercrime and other commercial offences where delays can increase financial losses and undermine investor confidence.
Meanwhile, Nainda rejected suggestions that essential documentation is routinely unavailable because of incomplete paperwork.
“I cannot accept the generalisation that essential case documents are routinely unavailable due to incomplete paperwork, because each criminal investigation has its own circumstances, and the completeness of a case docket depends on the relevant evidence, statements, supporting documents, and other information required for the investigation and subsequent prosecution,” Nainda stated.
According to NamPol, established procedures govern the handling, preservation and tracking of criminal dockets, including duplicate records where applicable. Nainda emphasised that delays resulting from incomplete investigations should not automatically be attributed to technological failures.
“It is important to distinguish between delays arising from outstanding documentation in individual cases and challenges associated with the performance of electronic systems. These are separate matters and should not automatically be treated as evidence that case records are missing or that the docket management process has failed,” she explained.
Digital infrastructure
NamPol’s proposed modernisation programme could have significant implications for its approximately 26 870 employees, according to publicly reported workforce figures. The workforce’s size underscores the investment required to equip officers, administrative personnel and specialised investigative units with reliable digital tools.
According to Nainda, the Force Case Docket Management System remains accessible at all Class A and Class B police stations, alongside approximately 90% of Class C stations. Other facilities, including specialised regional divisions, are connected to the NamPol network and can access relevant ICT services.
Information presented to Parliament in 2025 indicated that NamPol had been acquiring digital mobile radios, repeaters and base stations to progressively replace outdated analogue communications equipment. These investments suggest the electronic policing overhaul forms part of a broader transition towards technology-driven law enforcement.
“NamPol remains committed to strengthening its information management systems, improving the reliability of its technological infrastructure, and ensuring that case dockets are managed in accordance with established procedures. The ongoing system overhauls or upgrades forms part of these efforts,” Nainda stated. – ebrandt@nepc.com.na
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