Police brutality alleged in North

A YOUNG man was allegedly “brutally tortured” by Police officers at Oshakati in order to force him to “tell the truth” about a missing firearm.

Human rights monitors in the Oshana Region reported that Natangwe Kamashu (27), a resident of Ongwediva, lodged a complaint with the Oshakati office of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR). The weapon belongs to his employer, Max Security Company, a private security firm in the town.Approached for comment, Chief Inspector Angula Amalungu of the Police public relations department said he was unaware of the incident.”I have not received a report on this matter,” he told The Namibian yesterday.According to a statement issued by the NSHR, on March 2 Kamashu received a phone call from the secretary of his employer, Max Security, instructing him to immediately report to the firearms section of the Oshakati Police station.There, a Police officer allegedly confronted him about the whereabouts of the weapon, a 7.65 mm handgun.Although Kamashu explained that he had already reported the matter to the Police on January 17, the officer allegedly started to assault Kamashu, beating and kicking him all over the body.Another Police officer allegedly beat Kamashu with a chair at the charge office before he was taken to the Police cells.”They removed me from the cells and started kicking me, targeting my private parts and kidneys and beating me with a sjambok all over the body while I lied on the ground, so that I tell the truth.I lost consciousness as a result and only regained it on March 3 while in Ward 3 of the Oshakati Hospital,” Kamashu told NSHR officials.Kamashu was discharged on March 9 but he is still receiving treatment for his injuries.Kamashu is complaining of abnormal backbone weakness as well as scrotum and abdominal pain.A medical report as well as photographic evidence in NSHR possession points to Kamashu having sustained assault injuries.”Although Article 11(3) of the Constitution requires that detainees be brought before the nearest judicial officer within 48 hours of their arrest, Kamashu was only brought before the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on March 14 2007,” said NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh.Kamashu was accused of “obstructing the Police in the execution of their duties and malicious damage to Government property”.He was released on bail pending his next court appearance on May 31 2007.”We are very saddened at these ugly allegations also against our Police officers, Ya Nangoloh said.”Do they now want to be compared with Zimbabwean police who are also being accused of brutality against suspects? We urge Namibian Police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga to speedily investigate the Kamashu allegations and to institute stringent measures on any Police officers responsible for such brutality as alleged.Police officers have no right whatsoever to assault anyone,” said Ya Nangoloh.The company Max Security could not be traced, as its telephone number is not listed in the directory.The weapon belongs to his employer, Max Security Company, a private security firm in the town.Approached for comment, Chief Inspector Angula Amalungu of the Police public relations department said he was unaware of the incident.”I have not received a report on this matter,” he told The Namibian yesterday. According to a statement issued by the NSHR, on March 2 Kamashu received a phone call from the secretary of his employer, Max Security, instructing him to immediately report to the firearms section of the Oshakati Police station.There, a Police officer allegedly confronted him about the whereabouts of the weapon, a 7.65 mm handgun.Although Kamashu explained that he had already reported the matter to the Police on January 17, the officer allegedly started to assault Kamashu, beating and kicking him all over the body.Another Police officer allegedly beat Kamashu with a chair at the charge office before he was taken to the Police cells.”They removed me from the cells and started kicking me, targeting my private parts and kidneys and beating me with a sjambok all over the body while I lied on the ground, so that I tell the truth.I lost consciousness as a result and only regained it on March 3 while in Ward 3 of the Oshakati Hospital,” Kamashu told NSHR officials.Kamashu was discharged on March 9 but he is still receiving treatment for his injuries.Kamashu is complaining of abnormal backbone weakness as well as scrotum and abdominal pain.A medical report as well as photographic evidence in NSHR possession points to Kamashu having sustained assault injuries.”Although Article 11(3) of the Constitution requires that detainees be brought before the nearest judicial officer within 48 hours of their arrest, Kamashu was only brought before the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on March 14 2007,” said NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh.Kamashu was accused of “obstructing the Police in the execution of their duties and malicious damage to Government property”.He was released on bail pending his next court appearance on May 31 2007.”We are very saddened at these ugly allegations also against our Police officers, Ya Nangoloh said.”Do they now want to be compared with Zimbabwean police who are also being accused of brutality against suspects? We urge Namibian Police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga to speedily investigate the Kamashu allegations and to institute stringent measures on any Police officers responsible for such brutality as alleged.Police officers have no right whatsoever to assault anyone,” said Ya Nangoloh.The company Max Security could not be traced, as its telephone number is not listed in the directory.