Officer nabbed in alleged bribery incident

The Namibian Police have confirmed reports that a veteran senior police detective from the criminal investigations department (CID) was arrested at a Windhoek hotel while allegedly receiving a monetary bribe from a Russian national recently arrested for attempting to bribe home affairs officials in exchange for a Namibian passport.

The incident is said to have unfolded on Monday.

Khomas regional crime investigation coordinator deputy commissioner Chrispin Mubebo told The Namibian he is aware of the matter but referred all questions to the police headquarters.

“I can confirm such a case involving a police officer who was arrested in that regard. However, all investigations are internal and being handled at the national headquarters and not here at regional level. I suggest you speak to the people at our communications office,” Mubebo said on Wednesday.

It is further alleged that the Russian was going to assume a new passport identity under the fake name Stephanus Cloete.

Deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, who is on leave and was just returning to the city, said she was not privy to the details of the matter, while phones at the police public relations office went unanswered.

This is, however, not an isolated incident. In 2020, then home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Frans Kapofi reportedly said Namibia’s safety and security was being undermined by a syndicate operating within the ministry selling Namibian national identity documents to foreign nationals, mostly from Africa, Europe and Asia.

“Issuing national documents illegally is as good as selling the country to foreigners whose ulterior motives to get their hands on such documents by hook or crook vary. Our people are easily tempted because they want more than what they have and by doing that, are selling our country to foreigners,” Kapofi told a local weekly newspaper.