Cops accused of disrespecting corpses at scene of accident

THE Police’s response to a road accident that happened over the Easter weekend, in which 11 people were killed, has come under criticism from the father of one of the deceased, more than a month after it happened.

Ebenhaezer! Noabeb, father of the late 14-year-old Wonderley Gom-Khases, says Police officers who arrived at the accident scene were drunk and handled the corpses like “pieces of wood”. Noabeb has sent a letter to the Ombudsman, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, and the National Society for Human Rights, in which he asks for a number of Police officers, who he named, to be punished for not behaving in accordance with the Police’s code of conduct.”When I was alerted about the accident, I arrived before the Police officers at the scene and when they arrived (they) were under the influence of alcohol,” Noabeb’s letter reads.”I was extremely horrified and distressed with the manner in which the Police officers were handling the corpses with no sympathy or respect.The corpses were just thrown into the Police vehicle like wood in the presence of fathers, mothers and relatives, as well as friends and the general public,” he said.When contacted for comment last week, Erongo Regional Police Commander Andrew Iiyambo said Noabeb’s allegations would be investigated, but Noabeb would have to provide evidence of what he claims he saw.Noabeb has sent a letter to the Ombudsman, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, and the National Society for Human Rights, in which he asks for a number of Police officers, who he named, to be punished for not behaving in accordance with the Police’s code of conduct.”When I was alerted about the accident, I arrived before the Police officers at the scene and when they arrived (they) were under the influence of alcohol,” Noabeb’s letter reads.”I was extremely horrified and distressed with the manner in which the Police officers were handling the corpses with no sympathy or respect.The corpses were just thrown into the Police vehicle like wood in the presence of fathers, mothers and relatives, as well as friends and the general public,” he said.When contacted for comment last week, Erongo Regional Police Commander Andrew Iiyambo said Noabeb’s allegations would be investigated, but Noabeb would have to provide evidence of what he claims he saw.