Three eye City Police top job

Three officials from the Windhoek City Police are said to be in contention to succeed current head Abraham Kanime, who is retiring at the end of this month.

Kanime has been at the helm of Windhoek municipal police since its inception in 2001.

Those aiming to succeed him are Kanime’s deputy Leevi Ileka, head of traffic senior superintendent Adam Eiseb and head of legal affairs senior superintendent Eliaser Iiyambo.

However, sources close to the succession believe that some Namibian Police regional commanders may also challenge for the position.

The head of the Windhoek City Police reportedly earns N$2,2 million per year, equating to about N$184 000 per month.

Kanime declined to comment on his retirement yesterday.

However, people close to Kanime told The Namibian his last day will be on 28 April.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye told The Namibian yesterday the “council is scheduled to embark upon the process as soon as practically possible with the aim of filling the critical position upon Kanime’s well deserved retirement,” Akwenye said.

As per the regulations of the municipal police service, the council appoints “a fit and proper person” as city police chief head.

Ileka yesterday said he did not want to comment on his interest in the position.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said.

Iiyambo said he might be interested in the position, while Eiseb told The Namibian he had no idea that Kanime was leaving office.

“I am not aware of what you are asking, sir. Maybe the appointing authority, which is the office of the chief executive officer, may know,” Eiseb.

Eiseb was recommended for appointment to replace Kanime in 2020.

He was recommended by the security advisory committee tasked to appoint the new police chief.

Eiseb was to be deputised by Ileka and Elias Mutota, who is now deputy inspector general of the Namibian Police.

The security advisory council consisted of top security chiefs from the Namibian Police, Namibia Correctional Service (NCS), Namibia Defence Force (NDF) and Namibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS).

Eiseb could not be appointed, because the council reappointed Kanime as head of the city police for three years and also appointed Ileka as Kanime’s deputy.

Kanime’s re-appointment was perceived to be unlawful and invalid.