Residents of Gibeon have petitioned the Hardap police regional commander, calling for an urgent investigation into allegations of police brutality and abuse of authority at the Gibeon Police Station.
The petition, addressed to Hardap regional commander Sydney Philander and copied to the inspector general and the executive director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, was handed over on Wednesday.
Community spokesperson Circummy Kaoseb says the petition was submitted to restore public confidence in the police.
“We are submitting this petition because the community is deeply concerned about the alleged police brutality that recently occurred at Gibeon. People who go to the police station seeking protection should never be subjected to unlawful treatment,” Kaoseb says.
The petition alleges that community members who sought protection at the police station were instead subjected to inhumane treatment by the officers who were on duty.
It states that Article 8 of the Namibian Constitution guarantees the right to human dignity, while the Police Act of 1990 and the Namibian Police Code of Conduct require officers to uphold the law, respect human rights and serve the public with integrity.
The community has raised concerns about the alleged inconsistent handling of criminal cases, claiming that some complaints are delayed or not acted upon, particularly when they involve individuals allegedly associated with police officers, while others are attended to immediately.
“Our people go to the police station as a place of safety. When that safety is violated, trust between the community and the force breaks down. This undermines community policing, which is the cornerstone of policing in Namibia,” Kaoseb says.
The petition calls for an impartial internal investigation, disciplinary or criminal action against any officers found to have acted unlawfully and a public assurance that police brutality and abuse of authority will not be tolerated.
The petition was received on behalf of the regional commander. The region’s police say they will work on the petition.
