Also known as: Commissioner Ismael Basson · Omusati police regional commander · Omusati police commander · Police regional commander Ismael Basson
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The Namibian
Omusati police regional commander Ismael Basson confirmed eight rhinos have been killed since January, with 14 suspects arrested
“Omusati police regional commander Ismael Basson last week confirmed that eight rhinos have been killed since January, with 14 suspects arrested.”
Eight rhinos poached in Etosha in four monthsThe Namibian
Basson said market for rhino horns is in Angola
“He says intelligence services has informed the police that the market for rhino horns is in Angola.”
Eight rhinos poached in Etosha in four monthsInformanté
Commissioner Ismael Basson said the officer contravened Section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act by soliciting N$7,000 from a victim
“According to the police's regional commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, the officer contravened Section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act when he used his office or position corruptly for gratification by soliciting N$7,000 from a victim.”
Outapi-based policeman is being probed for alleged corruptionInformanté
Commissioner Ismael Basson stated that the arrested suspect faces an attempted murder charge for attacking another victim
“According to Omusati Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, the arrested suspect also faces an attempted murder charge for attacking another victim who survived and managed to run away.”
Man arrested in Omusati for murder and mutilation of the victim’s bodyInformanté
Omusati Regional police commander Ismael Basson confirmed alleged perpetrators have been identified, but no arrests made
“Omusati Regional police commander Ismael Basson confirmed that the alleged perpetrators have been identified, but no arrests have been made at this stage.”
OMUSATI: Officers accused of assaulting suspect during anti-poaching operationThe Namibian
Commissioner Ismael Basson says the suspects are officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Namibian Defence Force and the Namibian Police
“According to Omusati police regional commander commissioner Ismael Basson, the incident happened on 20 April at Orondjise village in the Omusati region's Ruacana constituency. Basson says the suspects are officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Namibian Defence Force and the Namibian Police, who were in a joint anti-poaching operation following a poaching incident at Etosha.”
Etosha anti-poaching unit accused of burning suspect’s private partsThe Namibian
Omusati police commander commissioner Ismael Basson says the incident took place at around 10h00
“Omusati police commander commissioner Ismael Basson says the incident took place at around 10h00.”
Woman arrested for pit latrine baby dumpingThe Namibian
Basson says the case is being investigated as one of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice
“Basson says the case is being investigated as one of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.”
Woman arrested for pit latrine baby dumpingThe Namibian
Ismael Basson confirmed an Angolan national (22) arrested in connection with teenage rape
“This has been confirmed by Omusati regional commander commissioner Ismael Basson, who says the incident took place on Friday.”
Man arrested over teen’s rape at OmusatiThe Namibian
Omusati regional commander commissioner Ismael Basson says the incident took place at Okahao on 21 April at around 17h30
“Omusati regional commander commissioner Ismael Basson says the incident took place at Okahao on 21 April at around 17h30.”
Missing Okahao baby found safe, with kidnapping suspect arrestedTwo inmates who escaped from police holding cells in Onandjaba last month are still at large; police suspect they may have crossed into Angola. Four of the six escapees have been rearrested, and three of five stolen firearms have been recovered.
Two of six Onandjaba police escapees remain at large with three of five stolen firearms still missing, raising public safety concerns.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →
Two inmates who escaped from police holding cells in Onandjaba last month are still at large; police suspect they may have crossed into Angola. Four of the six escapees have been rearrested, and three of five stolen firearms have been recovered.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →
A ten-year-old boy drowned on Friday while swimming with other children in a pond at Iihenguti village in the Omusati Region. Police and traditional leaders have urged parents and guardians to monitor children's water activities, citing ongoing risks from unsupervised swimming.
30 May 2026 · Informanté →
A 10-year-old boy drowned in a pond at Iihanguti village in the Omusati region on Friday afternoon while swimming with two other children. According to the regional police commander, the incident occurred at around 15h30, and the body was taken to a mortuary at Okahao.
30 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Police have rearrested four of six trial-awaiting inmates who escaped from Onandjaba police holding cells in Omusati on Sunday; two escapees remain at large, and three of five stolen police firearms have been recovered.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Cornelius Shimwaafeni, 16, a non-swimmer from Omutundungu village in Omusati, rescued twin babies (9 months old) from a pond on Sunday after the twins' mother allegedly threw them in. Shimwaafeni dived in without hesitation and removed both babies; the twins' mother subsequently turned herself in to police, and the Omusati governor visited to show support.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A 24-year-old woman in Omusati's Etayi constituency was arrested after allegedly throwing her 9-month-old twins into a pond on Saturday; a 16-year-old boy rescued the babies, who were briefly hospitalized and discharged into the care of their father and aunt. Police have opened an attempted murder case and the suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A poaching suspect in custody in Omusati Region has been charged with perjury after admitting he lied when alleging he had been tortured by NDF, NamPol, and Environment Ministry officials on 28 April. The charges against the officials are likely to be dropped following the retraction.
15 May 2026 · Informanté →
Police have reported eight rhinos killed on the Omusati side of Etosha National Park since January, with 14 suspects arrested. Intelligence suggests the rhino horn market is in Angola, and some poachers reportedly consult traditional healers for protection during illegal hunting activities.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Police in Omusati Region are investigating a police officer stationed at Outapi for allegedly soliciting N$7,000 from a victim in contravention of the Anti-Corruption Act. According to the regional commander, the money has not been recovered and the suspect has not yet been arrested.
2 May 2026 · Informanté →
A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Omusati Region for allegedly murdering a resident of Omuthitugwonyama village by smashing his head with a brick and then mutilating the corpse. The suspect also faces an attempted murder charge for attacking another person who escaped.
1 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Police in Omusati are investigating law enforcement officers for allegedly abusing a poaching suspect during questioning following an operation in Etosha National Park. The suspect was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse by a joint team of NDF, NamPol, and Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism officials, resulting in serious injuries, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
30 April 2026 · Informanté →
Members of an anti-poaching unit at Etosha National Park have been accused of assaulting and burning a 35-year-old man during questioning in April following a poaching incident. The officials involved are from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibian Defence Force, and Namibian Police, and investigations are ongoing.
30 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A 37-year-old domestic worker was arrested after allegedly giving birth and dumping a newborn boy in a pit latrine at Okafitu ka Kahala village in Outapi on Sunday. The case is being investigated as murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice; Namibia decriminalized baby dumping in 2019 if infants are left unharmed at designated safe places such as hospitals and police stations.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
An Angolan national has been arrested in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old girl at Outundungu village in the Omusati region. The suspect, the victim's neighbour, allegedly lured the girl to his house under false pretences and assaulted her; he is due to appear before the Outapi Magistrate's Court on Monday.
24 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A baby was found safe after being taken on 21 April near Okahao District Hospital; a suspect has been arrested. The mother, an Angolan national, had asked the suspect (also Angolan) to hold the child while she searched for a missing shoe, after which both disappeared until police traced them.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A 28-year-old man died when his donkey cart hit a tree stump and overturned in Otamanzi village on Sunday morning. His passenger sustained slight injuries, according to Omusati police.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Pedestrian fatalities in Namibia increased to 47 in the first three months of 2026 from 41 in the same period last year, according to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, even as overall pedestrian-related crashes and injuries declined. Police and transport operators cite intoxication, inattention, and poor road conditions as contributing factors, with authorities calling for targeted safety measures in high-risk regions.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A cattle herder in Onkaankaa village discovered human remains, including a skull and bones, in a livestock grazing area last week. Omusati regional police have launched an investigation and say forensic testing is underway to identify the deceased and determine the cause of death, with authorities appealing to the public for information on missing persons in the area.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The 15th Ruacana annual Easter tournament attracted thousands of visitors and 99 teams over the weekend, drawing crowds and vendors to the small border town. Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the event demonstrates how sport can unite communities and stimulate local economic growth through spending on accommodation, transport, and services, though some vendors reported police breathalyser operations near the venue discouraged customers.
8 April 2026 · New Era →
A double cab bakkie struck a donkey cart from behind on the Tsandi–Ongulumbashe road on Saturday evening, injuring four people and killing three donkeys. The driver was allegedly unlicensed, according to the Omusati police regional commander.
6 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Cattle herders in Onkaanka village, Otamanzi constituency, found suspected human remains including head and back bones and navy blue jeans on Thursday. The deceased's identity, date of death, and cause of death remain unknown; bones have been sent for investigation.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →
An Iveco bus struck an elephant on the Omakange–Iitananga main road early Thursday morning; the bus occupants were unharmed but the vehicle was damaged, and the elephant's condition remained unclear as it disappeared into the wilderness.
3 April 2026 · Informanté →
A bus hit an elephant on the Omakange-Iitananga road between Omusati and Kunene regions on Thursday morning around 06h00. No passengers were injured, though the bus sustained visible damage and the extent of the elephant's injuries is unknown.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's "no business as usual" approach is being felt as Namibians prepare for the 36th Independence anniversary, with celebrations now decentralized to all 14 regions for the first time. Police are conducting operations in regions including Oshana and Omusati to prevent crime and crack down on dangerous driving through roadblocks and licensing checks.
20 March 2026 · Informanté →
Police in Omusati are investigating the death of a 22-month-old boy who was allegedly smothered with sand by his two-year-old twin cousins while under minimal supervision in Ogongo constituency. No arrests have been made because the suspects are minors.
19 March 2026 · New Era →
A one-year-old child died in Omusati's Ogongo constituency after being left under minimal supervision with other children, including two-year-old twins. Police say no arrest has been made as the suspected perpetrators are too young to be held criminally accountable, and the exact cause of death remains unclear.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A 22-month-old child died in Omusati's Ogongo constituency after twin two-year-olds allegedly placed sand in the infant's mouth, nose and eyes during an incident of minimal supervision. No arrests have been made as the suspected perpetrators are too young to face criminal charges.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Onaanda/Elim in Omusati Region have been urged to remain vigilant and avoid approaching a stray elephant being herded back to Etosha National Park after being spotted in the area. The warning follows a recent incident in which a woman was killed by a wounded elephant after residents allegedly provoked the animal while photographing it.
12 March 2026 · Informanté →
Three men were arrested and granted bail after allegedly shooting an elephant in Omusati region that subsequently killed a 46-year-old woman who was provoked the animal. Police registered a case of illegal hunting; the suspects allegedly used a .303 hunting rifle on the protected animal, valued at about N$295,000.
11 March 2026 · New Era →
Three men were arrested for allegedly hunting an elephant in a mahangu field in Tsandi constituency last Wednesday; the animal later killed a 46-year-old woman. The suspects face charges including hunting a specially protected animal without licences, possessing a firearm without permits, and failing to secure it safely.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →