Top cops finally suspended in theft case

THREE months after criminally charging two senior officers with theft, it appears that the Police have finally decided to suspend them.

While the Police have remained especially tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the suspension of Special Branch Commanding Officer Lottinelomba Uusiku and Finance Division Commanding Officer Joseph Kamati, at least this fact was confirmed yesterday. Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu said yesterday that although the two men have vacated their offices, his office had not been officially informed of this.He referred The Namibian to the Police’s Complaints and Discipline Unit, whose commanding officer, Commissioner Hubert Mootseng, declined to speak on the matter.On March 23, the Special Branch’s Uusiku made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court after he was charged with the disappearance of an unspecified amount of money that was to be paid to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance.This money is said to include subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts), informants’ rewards and bail money.Four days later on March 27, Uusiku was joined on these charges by the Finance Division’s Kamati.Despite having been charged with the crimes by the Police, the two officers remained at their desks for at least the next three months, while their employer awaited recommendations from the Magistrate overseeing their respective disciplinary committees.The two men will return to court on these charges at the start of August.Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu said yesterday that although the two men have vacated their offices, his office had not been officially informed of this.He referred The Namibian to the Police’s Complaints and Discipline Unit, whose commanding officer, Commissioner Hubert Mootseng, declined to speak on the matter.On March 23, the Special Branch’s Uusiku made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court after he was charged with the disappearance of an unspecified amount of money that was to be paid to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance.This money is said to include subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts), informants’ rewards and bail money.Four days later on March 27, Uusiku was joined on these charges by the Finance Division’s Kamati.Despite having been charged with the crimes by the Police, the two officers remained at their desks for at least the next three months, while their employer awaited recommendations from the Magistrate overseeing their respective disciplinary committees.The two men will return to court on these charges at the start of August.