Officers turned criminals

Shikongo to hunt down ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’

Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says disciplinary and criminal proceedings are under way against officers implicated in corruption, drugs and other offences amid growing concern over police integrity.

This follows the arrest of officers in connection with drug-related offences in several parts of the country.

Some members of parliament this week said the arrest of numerous police officers is eroding public trust in those entrusted with enforcing the law.

Shikongo yesterday told The Namibian that a board of fitness will convene to determine if the accused officers are fit to remain in their positions.

“We are going to take internal steps, and obviously, we are dealing with criminal cases that are opened against these individuals,” he said.

‘OFFICERS TURNED CRIMINALS’

This week, two police officers from Rundu were arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle money, cannabis, cigarettes and cellphones into police holding cells.

This case is among many that have been reported over the past few weeks.

About two weeks ago, Windhoek-based police officer Ivanoi Vatilifa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after allegedly attempting to kill his girlfriend in Khomasdal.

The police said Vatilifa shot his girlfriend during an argument before turning the firearm on himself.

The Namibian reported that Vatilifa had previously threatened to kill her on several occasions.

An off-duty officer at Ongwediva was accused of threatening a civilian with a pistol in January.

Last May, the same officer allegedly aimed his service pistol at a man while playing dice for money at a beer house.

This week, three police officers from the Hardap region were arrested on Sunday after allegedly stealing a sheep carcass and two bags of intestines valued at N$2 000 at Aranos. The stolen items were later recovered.

In October last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested four police officers for allegedly receiving bribes from offenders in police custody.

The ACC at the time said the arrested police officers were alleged to have solicited bribes in exchange for recommending or granting bail to offenders.

Late last year, Shikongo revealed to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation that six police officers were among eight suspects arrested for the alleged smuggling of police firearms.

The arrests followed information from South African authorities linking weapons from Namibia to gang violence in the Western Cape.

Two civilian police employees were also implicated, while intelligence suggested that two trucking companies operating in Namibia were involved in the syndicate.

Popular Democratic Movement chief whip Deiderik Vries in parliament on Wednesday said cases involving criminally implicated police officers, particularly with drugs, have been reported at towns such as Rehoboth, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Oshakati, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Windhoek.

“Such arrests have raised serious questions about the integrity of some officers entrusted with enforcing the country’s laws,” Vries said.

National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu has proposed a nationwide rotation of police officers, saying long deployments in one area may lead to officers forming relationships with criminals.

“Some police officers create families and friendships within their jurisdictions because they know they will not be moved.

The police must return the practice of rotating officers,” Kandorozu says.

He adds that officers should not serve in one location for more than three to five years.

Former police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga told The Namibian yesterday that police officers involved in criminal activities is not a new phenomenon.

“We dealt with such behaviour in the past. You will always find rogue elements in the police force – people who did not join the police as a career but merely as a form of employment, while having criminal mentalities,” Ndeitunga said.

“They are now showing their true colours. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing and are tarnishing the image and reputation of the Namibian Police,” he added.

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