NSHR blames cops for toddler’s death

THE National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) this week blamed the Namibian Police for the death of a three-year-old boy whose father is employed in the force, but who has allegedly not received his salary for more than 18 months.

The boy, Jeremiah Mokaxwa, is said to have died of malnutrition on February 18 in the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital at Ondangwa. According to the NSHR, the boy’s father, NamPol Special Field Force Constable Immanuel Mokaxwa (42) went absent without leave (AWOL) from his post somewhere between April and May 2004, and stayed away from work for 28 days.He was reinstated upon his return, but the organisation says he has not received a salary since June 2004.According to the Police Act of 1990, a Police officer may be fired for misconduct if he is AWOL for more than 30 days.However, as Mokaxwa claims to have been absent for only 28 days, the human rights organisation says this does not qualify as a reason for his non-payment.”Had Constable Mokaxwa’s salary not been withheld, obviously negligently, then Jeremia would probably never have died due to malnutrition,” the NSHR claimed on Sunday.”Hence, the Inspector General and or the Minister of Safety and Security should share at least partial responsibility for the incident,” the NSHR said.Police spokesperson Hieronymous Goraseb said yesterday that his department had only recently received the report and would look into the situation before making any statements.However, Oshana Regional Commander Joseph Anghuwo said Mokaxwa had been dismissed from the force following his AWOL stint, but was reinstated after he provided proof that he had been ill during the said period.Anghuwo said he was unable to determine whether Mokaxwa’s salary had been reinstated along with his position.”I don’t know now, but for 2005 he wasn’t receiving a salary.But if not, he will be remunerated from the date of his reinstatement, it’s just a matter of procedure,” the regional commander said.Mokaxwa himself could not be reached yesterday, although sources at the Ondangwa Police station said he does report for duty daily.A source at the Onandjokwe Lutheran hospital yesterday confirmed the death of Jeremiah Mokaxwa as a result of malnutrition and a urinary tract infection.According to the NSHR, the boy’s father, NamPol Special Field Force Constable Immanuel Mokaxwa (42) went absent without leave (AWOL) from his post somewhere between April and May 2004, and stayed away from work for 28 days.He was reinstated upon his return, but the organisation says he has not received a salary since June 2004.According to the Police Act of 1990, a Police officer may be fired for misconduct if he is AWOL for more than 30 days.However, as Mokaxwa claims to have been absent for only 28 days, the human rights organisation says this does not qualify as a reason for his non-payment.”Had Constable Mokaxwa’s salary not been withheld, obviously negligently, then Jeremia would probably never have died due to malnutrition,” the NSHR claimed on Sunday. “Hence, the Inspector General and or the Minister of Safety and Security should share at least partial responsibility for the incident,” the NSHR said.Police spokesperson Hieronymous Goraseb said yesterday that his department had only recently received the report and would look into the situation before making any statements.However, Oshana Regional Commander Joseph Anghuwo said Mokaxwa had been dismissed from the force following his AWOL stint, but was reinstated after he provided proof that he had been ill during the said period.Anghuwo said he was unable to determine whether Mokaxwa’s salary had been reinstated along with his position. “I don’t know now, but for 2005 he wasn’t receiving a salary.But if not, he will be remunerated from the date of his reinstatement, it’s just a matter of procedure,” the regional commander said.Mokaxwa himself could not be reached yesterday, although sources at the Ondangwa Police station said he does report for duty daily.A source at the Onandjokwe Lutheran hospital yesterday confirmed the death of Jeremiah Mokaxwa as a result of malnutrition and a urinary tract infection.