Rundu Police Station plagued by fuel shortage

THE Rundu Police Station has for the past weeks been struggling to fuel their vehicles as the station has run out of fuel.

Kavango East police regional commander, commissioner Johanna Ngondo confirmed the situation to Nampa in an interview recently, saying that the lack of fuel does not affect the region alone, but is a concern countrywide.

She said although the Rundu Police Station has been struggling with fuel, there is still fuel available at police stations at Omega and Mukwe, and that it is merely a matter of communication between the station commanders to render assistance when their fuel has run out.

Ngondo said in order to arrest the situation, they have put up measures where they have to put administrative work aside for them to utilise the fuel available on operational issues, and to respond to emergencies.

According to police officers who spoke to Nampa on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation, the Rundu Police Station has not had enough fuel for the vehicles to pick officers up from their residences to take them to work.

One of the officers residing in Ndama location said he was also called late last week, just to be told that he would not be picked up since there was no fuel in the vehicle for their shift.

Furthermore, another officer related to Nampa that some of the officers who reside closer to the station manage to walk, but it becomes difficult for other members who live at places like Kehemu or Ndama since they are far from the station.

In 2018, during the police’s benevolent fund’s annual general meeting, inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga called on regional commanders who head specialised units to properly supervise the use of police vehicles.

Ndeitunga also urged regional commanders to ensure that fuel in the regions is properly utilised, and at the same time gave a directive for vehicles deployed for administrative purposes to be parked at all times, and only to be utilised with permission from regional commanders.

– Nampa

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