Also known as: Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo · Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo · Inspector general Joseph Shikongo · Police chief Joseph Shikongo · Police chief inspector general Joseph Shikongo · Lt Gen Joseph Shikongo · Inspector General Lt Gen Joseph Shikongo · Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo · Inspector General Shikongo · Inspector General of the Namibian police · NamPol Inspector General Shikongo · Major General Joseph Shikongo · Inspector General of Police Joseph Shikongo · Police Inspector General Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo · Lt Gen. Joseph Shimweelao Shikongo · Lt Gen. Joseph Shikongo · suspended Namibian police inspector general
Police inspector general suspended in May 2026 following a security breach at State House, replaced by Major General Anne-Marie Nainda.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Informanté
Inspector General Lt Gen Joseph Shikongo reminded the public that holiday periods see increased traffic and social activities
“Inspector General Lt Gen Joseph Shikongo reminded the public that these periods of celebration often see increased traffic and social activities, calling on all road users to exercise tolerance, drive responsibly, adhere to traffic regulations, avoid speeding and alcohol-impaired driving, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy.”
Police urge safety ahead of Independence Day, Easter, and May holidaysInformanté
Lt Gen Shikongo wished all citizens and visitors a crime-free, safe, and peaceful 36th Independence Day celebration
“"On behalf of the entire management, the Rank-and-File and the Civilian Component of the Namibian Police Force, and indeed on my own behalf, we wish all citizens and visitors a crime-free, safe, and peaceful 36th Independence Day celebration," he said.”
Police urge safety ahead of Independence Day, Easter, and May holidaysNew Era
NamPol Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo described policing as a calling requiring dedication and sacrifice emphasizing fallen officers stood firm in moments of uncertainty
“NamPol Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo described policing as a calling that requires dedication and sacrifice.”
Road accidents kill 17 officersThe Namibian
Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo appointed Benjamin Mutongolume as official bodyguard to vice president Lucia Witbooi
“Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo has appointed police constable Benjamin Mutongolume as the official bodyguard to vice president Lucia Witbooi.”
Officer in firearm incident appointed vice president’s bodyguardThe Namibian
Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says policing demands long hours, resilience, and firm commitment to justice and peace
“Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says policing demands long hours, resilience in the face of danger, and a firm commitment to justice and peace.”
Namibian police face danger daily, honoured on International Blue DayThe Namibian
Joseph Shikongo received timber identification equipment on Thursday
“The equipment was transferred on Thursday to Namibia's minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and the Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute.”
US hands over timber identification equipment to NamibiaInformanté
Shikongo said that De Klerk disappeared without trace after being questioned in 2020 and was tracked down in South Africa
“Shikongo said that sometime in 2020, after being questioned in the Anti-Corruption case, De Klerk did not return for the second day of questioning as requested and disappeared into thin air.”
Fishrot fugitive lawyer De Klerk takes on PG and Shikongo over pension fundsNew Era
Major General Joseph Shikongo issued a stern warning to officers over persistent complaints that police fail to respond to crime scenes
“The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Major General Joseph Shikongo, has issued a stern warning to officers across the country over persistent complaints that police fail to respond to crime scenes, often citing a lack of vehicles.”
Shikongo warns officers …vehicle shortage not an excuseNew Era
Shikongo disputed the notion that the police lack vehicles nationwide
“Shikongo also disputed the notion that the police lack vehicles nationwide.”
Shikongo warns officers …vehicle shortage not an excuseInformanté
Inspector General Joseph Shikongo led an evening patrol in Katima Mulilo
“INSPECTOR General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, on Friday led an evening patrol in Katima Mulilo as part of a coordinated security operation aimed at strengthening national safety and immigration control in the Zambezi Region.”
Shikongo leads evening patrol in Katima MuliloPrime Minister Elijah Ngurare said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should be allowed to serve her full two constitutional terms without distraction from succession debates, which he called premature and deliberately designed to undermine the administration.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should be allowed to serve her full two constitutional terms without distraction from succession debates, which he called premature and deliberately designed to undermine the administration.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
PIS Security Services has filed a review application at the High Court challenging a N$40 million three-year security contract awarded to Novo Security Services CC in October 2025, alleging that eight active Namibian police officers were falsely presented as employees and managers of Novo in its bid.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has not slept in her private residential wing at State House since a naked mental health patient broke into the premises nearly three weeks ago; she is staying at her private home in Hochland Park. The incident led to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and raised questions about security, as CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off at the time.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A satirical opinion column criticizes Namibia's VIP protection officers for alleged failures in security at State House, including an incident on 21 April where a mentally ill man allegedly bypassed checkpoints and entered the presidential compound unclothed.
9 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Independent Patriots for Change says it will not take a position on whether inspector general of Police Joseph Shikongo should remain in office, but insists that due process must be followed and calls on the Executive to release all documents demonstrating compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for suspension.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The 12-month suspension of Namibia's inspector general of police, lieutenant general Joseph Shikongo, has created a vacuum of official information, allowing rumors to proliferate about alleged breaches at State House and other unverified claims. The Windhoek Observer editorial argues that the lack of clear, timely communication from top officials has bred public confusion and mistrust.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah removed Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo and replaced him with Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, citing a security incident in which a naked man was found inside the presidential residence as the reason for the removal.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The family of Giano Seibeb, accused of trespassing at State House in Windhoek, is demanding to see closed-circuit television footage of the incident and wants answers on how he escaped Windhoek Central Hospital's mental health centre where he had been admitted. The incident led President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to suspend police inspector general Joseph Shikongo.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the constitutional authority to dismiss senior officials without necessarily giving public explanations, in response to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo. Venaani argued that leaders make key decisions based on sensitive information unavailable to the public.
7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian Police is not disclosing whether suspended inspector general Joseph Shikongo retains his salary and benefits during suspension; Nampol referred media inquiries to the Presidency's statement, which does not address the conditions of Shikongo's suspension.
7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Major General Anne-Marie Nainda has been appointed Acting Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force for one year, effective immediately, replacing Joseph Shikongo. She brings decades of experience in national and international policing, including roles as Deputy Inspector-General, INTERPOL Executive Committee member representing Africa, and previous assignments in regional command and INTERPOL specialized positions.
6 May 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has removed Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo from his post, with major general Anne-Marie Nainda appointed as acting inspector general for one year. No grounds for the removal were given, though it came four days after a security breach at State House where an intruder reached the president's private floor.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Major General Anne-Marie Nainda as Acting Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, effective immediately, for a one-year term. She replaces Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo and is described as a seasoned law enforcement professional with extensive experience in senior command roles.
5 May 2026 · Informanté →
Former inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga says the failure to detect a man who entered the presidential residence last week exposed weaknesses across the police chain of command. The breach has fuelled speculation about the status of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and raised questions about the VIP Protection Unit's head Michael Abraham.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi denied reports that the Namibian Defence Force has assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying the military could step in only if required. The denial comes after an alleged security breach at State House on Thursday, when an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended, though details of how he gained access and whether he was arrested remain unclear.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A naked man allegedly breached State House security and reached the president's private floor on Thursday afternoon, with sources blaming police and presidential security for the failure. The incident has raised questions about police inspector general Joseph Shikongo's job security, though the Presidency denied dismissing him on Saturday.
3 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Inspector General Joseph Shikongo said the recent transfer of senior officers, including Commissioner Julia Sakua to Zambezi region and Commissioner Andreas Pingana Shilelo to Oshana, is a planned strategic move to strengthen the force and improve service delivery, not a reaction to isolated incidents.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Police Inspector General Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has reshuffled regional commanders with effect from next month.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Maren de Klerk, a lawyer implicated in the "Fishrot" corruption scandal, disputes Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo's claim that he cannot seek redress from the courts on seized assets while alleged to be a fugitive. De Klerk argues the Constitution guarantees every person the right to approach courts, and asserts his pension benefits of about N$1.3 million were accrued from legitimate legal work.
28 April 2026 · Informanté →
Oshana regional police commander Naftal Sakaria is set to lead the unit protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, replacing commissioner Andreas Nelumbu. The appointment follows a police reshuffle conducted by inspector general Joseph Shikongo.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo announced senior management appointments and transfers effective 1 May, moving Julia Sakua-Neo to Zambezi region, Andreas Nelumbu to Kavango West, Naftal Sakaria to presidential security, and Andreas Shilelo to Oshana region.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says 53,000 young Namibians applied for 2,000 police posts, illustrating limited job opportunities that leave youth vulnerable to crime, violence and drug abuse. Shikongo warned that early criminal records can permanently damage employment prospects and called for coordinated government, community and family support to address root causes of youth vulnerability.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua died in a vehicle accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. Fellow lawmakers described him as a skilled debater and intellectually gifted parliamentarian, mourning his loss to the National Assembly and the country.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Research by Unicef shows that approximately 9% of internet-using Namibian children aged 12–17 — an estimated 20,000 children annually — experience online sexual exploitation or abuse. Police and justice sector officials are undergoing training to strengthen victim identification and enforcement efforts as digital exploitation increasingly involves sophisticated cross-border methods.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Police Force has issued a public safety appeal for the upcoming national holidays in March, April, and May, calling on residents and visitors to drive responsibly, avoid speeding and alcohol-impaired driving, and exercise caution. Inspector General Lt Gen Joseph Shikongo said the force will intensify operations nationwide to maintain law and order.
20 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Police Force honoured 17 officers who died in the line of duty between 2020 and the present during an Interpol Blue Day ceremony, with most deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents, particularly among VIP Directorate members. Safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu highlighted the need for improved working conditions, mental health support, and enhanced training to address road safety risks and other challenges facing law enforcement.
13 March 2026 · New Era →
Police constable Benjamin Mutongolume, who was involved in a firearm discharge incident at Walvis Bay in September 2024, has been appointed as the official bodyguard to Vice President Lucia Witbooi by Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo. The officer was investigated for discharging a firearm within a municipal area and was given the option of paying a N$3,000 fine or serving six months' imprisonment, with the police stating the transfer was already in process prior to the incident.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States has handed over advanced forensic equipment to Namibia's police forensic institute to identify timber species and combat illegal timber trafficking, making Namibia the only African country with this technology. The equipment, part of a broader US$8.7 million U.S. programme launched in 2020, enables law enforcement to verify shipments, detect protected wood, and provide evidence for criminal prosecutions.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's police honoured 17 officers who died in the line of duty over seven years on International Blue Day, with officers describing the physical and emotional risks they face, including motor vehicle accidents, violent crime responses, and armed confrontations with criminals.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →