Oluno: Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, has called on correctional officers to uphold fairness, firmness, and professionalism in the execution of their duties, warning against abuse and misconduct within facilities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Iipumbu addressed staff at the Oluno Correctional Facility, emphasizing that while firmness is essential in correctional work, it must always be balanced with fairness and respect for human dignity. She highlighted that discipline and authority are necessary but must not be confused with mistreatment or cruelty. Officers are urged to exercise authority within the law and in line with constitutional values.

Iipumbu stated that professionalism should guide all operations within the Namibia Correctional Service. She insisted that the mandate of the service must be achieved through lawful command, principled leadership, and without humiliation or mistreatment of inmates or any person under their care. She reiterated that the duty of correctional facilities is to correct, secure, and rehabilitate rather than destroy, brutalize, or dehumanize.

The minister further warned that allegations of mistreatment would be taken seriously, with necessary disciplinary actions to follow. She made it clear that any credible concerns about mistreatment would lead to her involvement, indicating that officers found guilty of misconduct could face transfers or disciplinary processes. Mistreatment of individuals is not aligned with the government's policy or the spirit of the Namibia Correctional Service.

Additionally, Iipumbu called for fairness in internal staff relations, cautioning against favouritism, intimidation, and abuse of authority within the institution. She urged officers to maintain high professional standards, as their conduct directly impacts public trust and the credibility of the justice system.