Further security measures taken by the SADF in the north of Namibia, the growing military presence in the remote region of Kaokoland and a predicted increase in the number of young Namibians called up for compulsory military service all appear to contradict SADF claims that SWAPO activity in Namibia dropped considerably following 'Operation Daisy'.
A dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on the western Kavango region on 14 December 1981, in order to 'facilitate night-time action against SWAPO insurgents who were infiltrating the region under cover of darkness'. A curfew is already in force in the south-west of Kavango. The Windhoek Observer reported in early December 1981 that over a fifteen month period guerillas had been visiting the western Kavango areas as well as Kaokoland. The paper described the provincial capital of Kaokoland, Opuwo, as an armed camp. 'It is evident from the number of Panzer vehicles, the task forces of both police and soldiers, that somewhere in that remoteness, in the inaccessible hills, there must be guerillas, and plenty of them. Such an encampment of strike power is expensive and will certainly not be countenanced unless there is a reason for it'.
There were reports of a guerilla leader called Kayala moving around the area and often arriving in villages with a group of at least 20 guerillas. Special police units failed to trap the guerilla leader, who was reported to be speaking to the local people on the politics of the liberation movement and being successful in gaining their allegiance.
South African military presence is not confined to Opuwo which, according to the newspaper, shows 'all the signs of war, barbed wire and Ribbok Panzer vehicles, with ever present soldiers and police with sub-machine guns'. Towards the west of Opuwo, a new air facility is being constructed which on completion will make it possible for heavy aircraft to land. To the north-west, approximately 8 km from the town, is a huge military base, and another one at the same distance to the south.
A member of the Herero tribal authority in Kaokoland, Tinus Smit, admitted in January 1982 that 'the insurgent war had spilled over from Ovambo'. The rural population was being forced to live around the South African military camps, having fled from their homes to avoid being caught in the intensifying war. Journalists visiting the region in January were told by Smit that 90 per cent of the massive human exodus into the capital Opuwo and surrounding centres was the result of increased insurgency in the north. Consequently, Opuwo's population had increased from about 500 two years ago to around 4,000, and many people were living in squatter camps. Having left all their possessions behind, many of the newly-arrived rural families have become dependent on the earnings of sons who have joined the army for a steady wage.
