Otjiwarongo:The installation of 25 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Otjiwarongo is advancing smoothly, with the devices strategically positioned around town.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Otjiwarongo Mayor Dr. Leonard Simushi reported that approximately 12 cameras have been installed since September. The project, currently in its pilot phase, is proceeding well, and each camera is connected to the municipality's 24-hour duty room for surveillance by the traffic department.

In July, local authority councillors in Otjiwarongo had a heated discussion during a council meeting regarding the CCTV project. The disagreement centered on the installation of cameras in crime hotspots identified by the Namibian Police Force, particularly in the Orwetoveni residential area and other parts of the town.

Mayor Simushi expressed concerns about the selection process of the company handling the installation. He stated that councillors Godhardt Hoko and Sebetius Guiteb had chosen the company that installed a similar system on the B2 road between Arandis and Swakopmund. Simushi emphasized the importance of inviting expressions of interest from qualified companies nationwide to ensure transparency and fair competition.

Councillor Gerd Sohrada suggested that the council should have considered the existing Otjiwarongo neighborhood watch organization, which manages about 30 surveillance cameras linked to its control room. This disagreement led to a verbal exchange between Sohrada and Hoko during a council meeting on September 15, 2026.

While some councillors, including Namibia Kandume, Magano Johannes, and Ernest Afrikaner, remained neutral, an Otjiwarongo company was subcontracted for the project. The company's operators, Sebetius Uwughaeb and Sageus Muronga, confirmed that they aim to complete the installation by November. Uwughaeb noted that each camera costs approximately N$9,000.