Head of the Namibian Police Force, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga has expressed concern over the persistent smuggling of contraband and weapons into holding cells by members of the force.
Ndeitunga made these remarks at Swakopmund on Thursday, where he was addressing Namibian Police Force (NamPol) regional commanders during the force’s annual general meeting.
“I also believe that we still have some rotten apples among the good police officers and I am confident at this juncture that some police officers are conniving and collaborating with inmates and members of the public to smuggle contraband and other illegal items into the holding cells,” Ndeitunga stated.
He said this was caused by a lack of strict supervision and control by charge officers in the administration of police cells.
“Regional and station commanders are supposed to implement a strict system of command and control and if you are relaxed, you will always have dangerous items and contraband snuck into police cells. These weapons of different kinds are used to threaten and injure those vulnerable inmates,” he added.
Ndeitunga revealed that he has even received calls from inmates within the holding cells, asking for the police to come to their aid as they feel their lives are in danger and threatened by those with weapons.
Ndeitunga made reference to a case which was recently reported in the Oshana Region, where the inmates involved even had to be separated as they were terrorising other inmates.
According to the inspector general, the smuggling contraband and weapons into holding cells by members of the force is also causing the number of criminal cases registered against the members to skyrocket.
“Thus, my caution goes all the police officers who are involved in this detestable behaviour and criminal conduct to cease forthwith. Commanders should ensure that members who are managing police holding cells do not develop personal relationships with inmates, and to execute their duties accordingly.”
Ndeitunga stressed that this can only be done if members are properly supervised on a daily basis to ensure that they do not continue embarrassing the police force, the government and entire nation.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
