Security Minister reacts to criticism of Police

THE Minister of Safety and Security, Peter Tsheehama, has lashed out at the Congress of Democrats (CoD) after the opposition party accused him of being unconcerned about the Police’s apparent lack of commitment to their duties.

At a media conference in Windhoek last week, the CoD cited the recent unsolved murder of a young man at Aminuis in the presence of Police officers, and the alleged rape of a 12-year-old boy while in Police custody at Swakopmund, to support their claims. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Tsheehama charged that CoD leader Ben Ulenga was being grossly unfair and irresponsible, adding that both incidents referred to are under Police investigation.”The Namibian Police force is a committed and professional organisation of which the Namibian nation can be proud.”The Namibian Police force maintains a high clearance rate, particularly of serious offences such as murder, armed robbery, rape and aggravated assaults,” he said.The death of 25-year-old Theboy Hiiho at Aminuis was being investigated by a special team of Police officers, the Minister said.Whether the Police were in fact implicated in the shooting was also under investigation, he said.”The CoD leader seems to have specific evidence on why exactly the shooting started and who is responsible for the criminal and fatal wounding of Mr Hiiho.If that is the case, I urge him to assist in the resolution of the case,” the Minister added.Commenting on why Police on the scene failed to make any arrests, Tsheehama said because the incident took place at nightfall, and as the bullets seemed to have been fired from inside the crowds, visibility “must surely have been influenced”.Commenting on the 12-year-old boy who was allegedly raped by two fellow trial-awaiting prisoners recently, the Minister said this case too was under investigation.”All alternatives for release available to juvenile delinquents had been exhausted, leaving the courts with no alternative but to order his detention pending the finalisation of his case.The boy was held together with other minors in a separate cell (as) no cell space was available where he could be kept in isolation,” Tsheehama said.Tsheehama said the child had since been released into the care of his mother while awaiting the completion of the two criminal cases against him.Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Tsheehama charged that CoD leader Ben Ulenga was being grossly unfair and irresponsible, adding that both incidents referred to are under Police investigation.”The Namibian Police force is a committed and professional organisation of which the Namibian nation can be proud. “The Namibian Police force maintains a high clearance rate, particularly of serious offences such as murder, armed robbery, rape and aggravated assaults,” he said.The death of 25-year-old Theboy Hiiho at Aminuis was being investigated by a special team of Police officers, the Minister said.Whether the Police were in fact implicated in the shooting was also under investigation, he said.”The CoD leader seems to have specific evidence on why exactly the shooting started and who is responsible for the criminal and fatal wounding of Mr Hiiho.If that is the case, I urge him to assist in the resolution of the case,” the Minister added.Commenting on why Police on the scene failed to make any arrests, Tsheehama said because the incident took place at nightfall, and as the bullets seemed to have been fired from inside the crowds, visibility “must surely have been influenced”.Commenting on the 12-year-old boy who was allegedly raped by two fellow trial-awaiting prisoners recently, the Minister said this case too was under investigation.”All alternatives for release available to juvenile delinquents had been exhausted, leaving the courts with no alternative but to order his detention pending the finalisation of his case.The boy was held together with other minors in a separate cell (as) no cell space was available where he could be kept in isolation,” Tsheehama said.Tsheehama said the child had since been released into the care of his mother while awaiting the completion of the two criminal cases against him.