Windhoek: Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, revealed that more than 53,000 young Namibians have applied for just 2,000 police posts in the current recruitment process. Shikongo made these remarks during the opening of the Boys to Men seminar in Windhoek on Saturday, highlighting the limited opportunities available to young people, many of whom are vulnerable to crime, substance abuse, and other social issues.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Shikongo noted that similar trends have been observed in previous recruitment cycles, where tens of thousands of applicants competed for a significantly smaller number of positions. He cited instances where NamPol received over 40,000 applications for about 1,000 positions in one intake and approximately 46,000 applications for 1,700 posts in another. Despite annual recruitment efforts, the demand for jobs continues to exceed the available positions.

Shikongo warned that this situation is contributing to broader social problems, including an increase in youth involvement in crime, violence, and drug abuse. He expressed concern that law enforcement authorities are increasingly encountering young offenders, many of whom face long-term consequences after acquiring criminal records at an early age. He emphasized the impact of criminal records in restricting access to employment and other future opportunities.

Additionally, Shikongo pointed to the growing number of young individuals in police custody as indicative of deeper structural challenges, such as unemployment and a lack of guidance. He called for a coordinated response from the government, communities, and families to address the root causes of youth vulnerability, underscoring the need for stronger support systems to mitigate these issues.