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Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Ismael Basson

Also known as: Commissioner Ismael Basson · Omusati police regional commander · Omusati police commander · Police regional commander Ismael Basson

Omusati regional police commander who oversees law enforcement operations and investigates crimes across the region.

2022-10-072026-07-23

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2024
  2. The Namibian

    Commissioner Ismael Basson reported that the incident took place last week at a family house

    Source

    The regional commander of the police in Omusati, commissioner Ismael Basson, reported that the incident took place last week at a family house.

    Uncles accused of raping niece at Omusati village
  3. The Namibian

    Basson said one of the suspects has been arrested, while the other is on the run

    Source

    He said one of the suspects has been arrested, while the other is on the run.

    Uncles accused of raping niece at Omusati village
  4. July 2023
  5. The Namibian

    Commissioner Ismael Basson says the suspect appeared in court and was remanded in custody

    Source

    The regional commander of the police in Omusati, commissioner Ismael Basson, says the suspect appeared in the Outapi Magistrate's Court this week and was remanded in custody for further investigation.

    Six-year-old reported raped in Omusati
  6. October 2022
  7. The Namibian

    Ismael Basson said the region is not a crime hotspot but has a crime surge

    Source

    Former Khomas police commander commissioner Ismael Basson has said the region is not a crime hotspot, but that there has been a surge in crime.

    What's the Plan, Police Chief?
Society

Police officer arrested for hitting pedestrian in Outapi

The News

A 44-year-old police officer attached to the Very Important Persons Protection Division at Outapi has been arrested after allegedly hitting a 66-year-old pedestrian with a vehicle on the Outapi-Tsandi main road on Sunday evening. The officer is facing charges of reckless or negligent driving, driving without a licence, and refusing to provide a blood specimen.

20 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 20 July

  1. Police officer arrested for hitting pedestrian in Outapi

    A 44-year-old police officer attached to the Very Important Persons Protection Division at Outapi has been arrested after allegedly hitting a 66-year-old pedestrian with a vehicle on the Outapi-Tsandi main road on Sunday evening. The officer is facing charges of reckless or negligent driving, driving without a licence, and refusing to provide a blood specimen.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 29 June

  1. Omusati region records 465 gender-based violence cases

    Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo reported 465 cases of gender-based violence in the 2025/26 financial year, including 204 cases of child physical abuse (82 boys and 122 girls). The governor called for community action to break the culture of silence surrounding abuse and protect children's rights.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Omusati education official arrested for fatal hit-and-run

    A chief inspector of education at Omusati's directorate has been arrested on charges of culpable homicide and drunk driving after allegedly running over a pedestrian on Saturday night along the Tsandi–Outapi road. The victim died, according to Omusati police commander Ismael Basson.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 22 June

  1. Omusati police seek suspect in Okapya rape case

    Police in Omusati Region are still searching for a suspect accused of raping a 19-year-old girl in Okapya village on the evening of 11 June; the suspect is known to the victim but had not been arrested as of the weekend.

    22 June 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Two arrested after Okahao armed robbery; five still sought

    Police arrested two of seven suspects in an armed robbery of an Okahao mini market manager, who lost property worth N$1,076,900 including a Toyota Fortuner; the vehicle was recovered but five suspects remain at large.

    17 June 2026 · Informanté

  2. Okahao shop manager robbed of over N$1 million in cash and goods

    A 42-year-old shop manager at Rani Mini Market in Okahao was robbed at gunpoint of a white Toyota Fortuner valued at N$1 million, an Apple Watch, leather bag, gold necklace, smartphone, AirPods, and N$1,900 in cash. Police recovered the vehicle in Ohangwena Region near the Namibia–Angola border, but the suspects remain on the run.

    17 June 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Omusati police chief urges professionalism from 86 new constables

    Omusati Regional Commander Commissioner Ismael Basson addressed 86 newly trained police constables deployed to the region, reminding them to conduct themselves professionally both on and off duty and to detain suspects lawfully without resorting to assault or abuse. Basson also called on senior officers to mentor and support the recruits.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

Monday 8 June

  1. 18-year-old charged with raping 10-year-old sister at Outapi

    An 18-year-old man allegedly raped his 10-year-old sister in a shared bedroom at Tobias Hainyeko, Outapi, on Wednesday afternoon, according to Omusati police regional commander Ismael Basson. The suspect has not been arrested and police investigations are ongoing.

    8 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Two of six Onandjaba police cell escapees remain at large

    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

Saturday 30 May

  1. Ten-year-old drowns in unsupervised pond swimming in Omusati

    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

  2. 10-year-old drowns in Omusati region pond

    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

Thursday 28 May

  1. Four of six Omusati jail escapees rearrested, two still sought

    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

Monday 25 May

  1. Omusati teenager saves twin babies from drowning in pond

    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

Sunday 17 May

  1. Woman arrested after attempting to drown twin babies in pond

    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

Friday 15 May

  1. Poaching suspect charged with perjury after recanting torture claim

    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

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Eight rhinos poached in Etosha National Park since January

    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

Saturday 2 May

  1. Police officer in Outapi probed for alleged corruption

    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

Friday 1 May

  1. Man arrested in Omusati for murder and body mutilation

    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

Thursday 30 April

  1. Police investigating officers' assault of poaching suspect in Omusati

    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

  2. Anti-poaching officials accused of torturing suspect in custody

    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

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Woman arrested for dumping newborn in pit latrine

    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

Friday 24 April

  1. Man arrested for rape of teenager in Omusati region

    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

Thursday 23 April

  1. Baby found safe after alleged kidnapping near Okahao

    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

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Man killed in donkey cart accident in Omusati region

    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

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Pedestrian deaths rise despite fewer crashes in Namibia

    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

Sunday 12 April

  1. Cattle herder discovers human skeleton in Otamanzi grazing area

    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

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Easter sports tournament boosts Ruacana's local economy

    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

Monday 6 April

  1. Bakkie crashes into donkey cart in Omusati, four injured

    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

Saturday 4 April

  1. Suspected human remains discovered in Omusati Region

    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

Friday 3 April

  1. Bus collides with elephant on Omusati road, no human injuries

    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

Ismael Basson — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute