Every human passing is a sad event, and we are not about to trash this one.

However we at the Congress of Democrats, CoD question the circumstances of Mr Kandara's alleged suicide and the standards of prisoner safety and care applied by the Namibian Police.

From first impressions it seems that the Criminal Procedures Act (No.

25) of 2004 has been grossly breached in the carrying out of Mr Kandara's arrest and detention by the Namibian Police.

Specifically, we refer to Articles 41 through to article 53 of the Criminal Procedures Act (No.

25) of 2004 and question what loose level of custody Mr Kandara was held under, which allowed him to collect and carry a lethal weapon (handgun) unnoticed by his police custodians.

Our understanding of "custody" and "detention" of a suspect is that it should mean judicial (or penal) safe keeping that should involve physical restraint and control as the circumstances demand.

It seems that the arrest and detention of Mr Kandara had neither the element of safe keeping nor that of physical restraint and control, as apparently the prisoner was allowed to escape the sight and physical attention of his charges on several occasions.

As a result he could take any item he wished into his place of detention without the police being even aware.

In our view, this is the lowest and most shocking standard of custody that can be applied to a detainee during arrest.

Alternatively, it is a most flagrant dereliction of duty on the side of police officials.

In the face of this extremely serious incident involving an investigation into the heart of governance in the country, and especially within the context of President Pohamba's commitment to service delivery to the nation, we had expected government to account speedily for what has happened.

We are surprised that till thus far neither the Inspector General of Nampol, nor the Minister responsible for Safety and Security, has made any statement.

When he took Office, Minister Tshirumbu [Tsheehama] took an oath pledging to: hold his office with honour and dignity…, uphold, protect and defend the constitution and faithfully obey, execute and administer the laws of the Republic of Namibia and serve the people… to the best of his ability.

Only an independent public enquiry into this sordid incident, headed by a judge of the High Court of Namibia will ensure that the facts are exposed and those responsible eventually punished.

We demand no less.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  CoD unable to pay consultants
•  Nurses' union goes to court
•  Gem suspect found not guilty
•  Former elections boss joins RDP
•  Former elections boss joins RDP
•  Wet weekend promised
•  First round victory for NHE
•  Save a little girl's leg this Christmas
•  Tent school to be replaced
•  Give the gift of life
•  Ex-Namdeb worker fined over diamond theft
•  A Matter of Fact
•  Big Brother Africa 3: Quirky SMSes
•  Location of the Struggle Children a secret
•  Mining royalties 'may backfire'
•  Govt wants to spy on you
•  SPYL saves struggle children from arrest
•  RDP slams Nujoma about troops to DRC
•  Cocaine-dealing suspect acquitted
•  Tired of 'empty promises'
•  Hospital plagued by power problem
•  Mix Camp Settlement gets drought aid
•  Mix Camp Settlement gets drought aid
•  Big Brother Africa 3: Quirky SMSes
•  Diamond jobs under threat
•  Fisherman jailed over Henties Bay stabbing
•  Swapo 'behind Pohamba all the way'