Shikongo strives for gender parity in the force

Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo said the police strive to achieve full gender parity in future.

This comes after Shikongo revealed that currently the force comprises 40% female police officers.

On Tuesday, Shikongo made a raft of changes at the top echelons of the force, transferring five commissioners to different regions, and promoting inspectors to higher ranks.

During the event, commissioner David Indongo was appointed as head of the Special Field Force directorate and commissioner Willem Steenkamp was appointed as the new Khomas regional commander. The appointments are effective 1 July.

Commissioner Andreas Haingura was transferred from Gobabis to become the new Kavango East regional commander. Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze was transferred from the Otjozondjupa region to Omaheke region as the new regional commander. Other promotions saw commissioner Johanna Ngondo transferred from the Kavango East region to Otjozondjupa as the new regional commander, while chief inspector Christiana Mpingana Iita was promoted to the rank of deputy commissioner and appointed as head of the former heads of states division.

These changes are all effective 1 August.

Shikongo told The Namibian yesterday that while the force is working to achieve gender parity, more female police officers would be promoted to higher ranks.

Asked the reasons behind the new changes to the force, Shikongo said he does not need to discuss reshuffling issues with anyone.
“Why should they want to ask me a question about why they were transferred? Transfers are a normal operation in police functions and that is a mandate of the inspector general,” he said.

According to Shikongo, all the officers that were transferred were consulted beforehand.
“If they went to complain to the media and not to the inspector general, that’s their own problem. Everyone was consulted and we had no issues.”

Shikongo said any regional commander can be transferred and if there are issues that would limit their transfers, such as children at school or houses, these are discussed with his office.

NOT DEMOTED

Shikongo denied recent media reports that the switching of Indongo and Steenkamp is seen as a demotion for the latter, and a promotion for the former.

“Steenkamp is not demoted. He is a full commissioner and is only appointed as a regional commander. He is not new to Khomas and he knows what to do,” Shikongo said.

“Heading a directorate and being a regional commander, these are all at the same level.

“When I promoted him last year, nobody questioned me, but now that he is transferred by the same authority, they start questioning,” he said.

“The police will serve the community. Whether you are at what rank, directorate or regional level, the mandate remains the same.”

DO YOUR JOB

Shikongo urged police officers to serve their communities with integrity and not to threaten or intimidate citizens.

“We want to serve our community without harassing people but to render quality services.”

Shikongo said despite limited resources such as vehicles, complainant information must be recorded and followed up on before the end of the business day.

‘POLICE CARS ARE OLD’
Shikongo said some police vehicles are old, after the police last purchased new vehicles in 2018.

“I agree with the notion that the cars are old, however, I am now happy that the government has included a budget to procure new police vehicles this year,” he said.

The procurement process for vehicles has already started, he said.

“We can and will buy a few cars, but they will not be enough to solve all of the problems. However, if we as officers do not take care of them, they will not last,” Shikongo warned.

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