On 22 September 2025, Major-General Elias Mutota, Deputy Inspector General for Operations, officially inaugurated the Human Rights Training Course at the Police National Headquarters (PNHQ) in Windhoek. The course, facilitated by officers from the Office of the Ombudsman, runs until 26 September 2025.
Recognized as a vital initiative by Police Management, the training aims to equip officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively while respecting and upholding human rights. Advocate Basilus Dyakugha, Ombudsman of the Republic of Namibia, commended the course and the Inspector General’s endorsement, highlighting its role in sharpening police officers’ understanding of human rights issues. He referenced an African proverb, stating, “Wisdom is like fire.”
The course includes 50 participants from all 14 regions, comprising Field Training Officers, Charge Office Officers, and Crime Prevention Officers. Major-General Mutota underscored the significance of the training, cautioning that policing without respect for human rights undermines public trust, fuels fear and resentment, and erodes the rule of law. He stressed that all individuals victims, suspects, or bystanders are entitled to fair and respectful treatment under the law, emphasizing the critical role this training plays in reinforcing that principle
