City cops, firemen have a ‘bad apple’ experience

WINDHOEK City Police and Fire Brigade employees are fuming after suspected fraudulent activities by some members caused their entire divisions to be punished.

City Police and Emergency Services chief Abraham Kanime has apparently refused to sign overtime payments for staff after certain employees made false overtime claims this month. A number of City Police officers have expressed anger over the missing figures on their payslips this month.They argue that it is not fair for an entire division to be punished for the wrongdoings of a few.According to the officers, it appears that some officers claimed around twice the actual overtime hours worked.Others who were not even supposed to be paid overtime also submitted claims.”Some were apparently working for seven hours, but they claimed for 14 hours.But you get these guys in the traffic department who really did work long hours, escorting VIPs and clearing roads for them.But now they’re not getting any payment for their sacrifices because of a select few,” one officer who spoke to The Namibian said.City Police spokesperson Marx Hipandwa confirmed that an investigation was under way.”It’s true, we have not received it [overtime payment], because it appears that some employees have been misusing it.We’re a bit angry about it,” Hipandwa said.The divisions affected are the City Police’s Traffic Department and Crime Prevention Unit, as well as the Windhoek Fire Brigade.City Police Chief Kanime could not be reached.He was said to be in a workshop yesterday.A number of City Police officers have expressed anger over the missing figures on their payslips this month.They argue that it is not fair for an entire division to be punished for the wrongdoings of a few.According to the officers, it appears that some officers claimed around twice the actual overtime hours worked.Others who were not even supposed to be paid overtime also submitted claims.”Some were apparently working for seven hours, but they claimed for 14 hours.But you get these guys in the traffic department who really did work long hours, escorting VIPs and clearing roads for them.But now they’re not getting any payment for their sacrifices because of a select few,” one officer who spoke to The Namibian said.City Police spokesperson Marx Hipandwa confirmed that an investigation was under way.”It’s true, we have not received it [overtime payment], because it appears that some employees have been misusing it.We’re a bit angry about it,” Hipandwa said.The divisions affected are the City Police’s Traffic Department and Crime Prevention Unit, as well as the Windhoek Fire Brigade.City Police Chief Kanime could not be reached.He was said to be in a workshop yesterday.