Officer in firearm incident appointed vice president’s bodyguard

Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo has appointed police constable Benjamin Mutongolume as the official bodyguard to vice president Lucia Witbooi.

This is despite the officer’s recent involvement in a firearm discharge incident at Walvis Bay.

The incident occurred in September last year when Mutongolume allegedly discharged a firearm during an altercation with a member of the public at a local club.

According to a source familiar with the matter, a gunshot was fired during the confrontation, although details of the circumstances remain unclear.

A letter dated 1 October 2025 confirms Mutongolume’s transfer and appointment.

In the correspondence, Shikongo orders the officer’s reassignment from the national police headquarters protection unit to the close protection unit under the vice president protection subdivision.

Shikongo says the transfer was made in accordance with powers granted to him under the Police Act, 1990 (Act 19 of 1990) and regulation 2(2), directing that the reassignment take effect immediately.

The letter also confirms that Mutongolume would serve as the vice president’s personal bodyguard.

As part of the appointment, he is entitled to a clothing allowance of N$7 991 per year and a danger or risk allowance of N$7 034 per year.

When contacted for comment, Mutongolume initially denied knowledge of the matter, saying the person mentioned was not him.

However, he later acknowledged the case, stating: “By the way, that case has already been resolved.”

Head of the VIP department, commissioner Michael Abraham, declined to comment last week.

He said he could not verify the identity of the person contacting him and, therefore, could not discuss the matter.

“I do not know you, and it is very difficult to talk to a stranger. Anybody can call me and claim to be whoever. Because of that, I cannot talk to you,” he said.

National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi yesterday told The Namibian that at the time of the incident, Mutongolume was on an official mission in the Erongo region but was off duty when the incident occurred.

She said a case was opened for contravention of the Arms and Ammunition Act, specifically for discharging a firearm within a municipal area.

The matter was investigated by the Internal Investigations Directorate.

According to Shikwambi, the investigation concluded earlier this year. In January, the officer was given the option of paying a N$3 000 fine or serving six months’ imprisonment.

“The member’s transfer was already in process prior to the incident and, therefore, his transfer does not relate to the incident in any way.

The member remains active and on duty,” she said.

Shikwambi added that the police do not condone irresponsible firearm use.

“The Namibian Police does not condone the irresponsible handling of firearms, whether by its members or any licensed firearm holder.

Firearms are not toys and must, therefore, be used strictly for their intended purpose, particularly in situations where there is a real threat or danger and where self-defence becomes unavoidable,” she said.

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