Nelumbu on leave, has not resigned – police

The Namibian Police have dismissed reports that incoming Kavango West regional commander Commissioner Andreas Nelumbu has resigned, saying he remains a member of the force and is currently on leave.

The clarification comes amid weeks of speculation over Nelumbu’s status following his transfer from head of presidential security to regional commander of Kavango West as part of a senior police reshuffle initiated under suspended Inspector General Joseph Shikongo.

Questions about his appointment emerged after allegations that he had not reported for duty in the region and that no formal handover ceremony had been held, as is customary for senior leadership transitions.

Police sources said Nelumbu was unhappy with the transfer and had allegedly considered resigning. The directive came less than a year after his appointment to presidential security.

However, deputy inspector general for operations Major General Elias Mutota dismissed the allegations as false.

He rejected claims that Nelumbu had abandoned the post before formally assuming office, describing the allegations as “not even allegations – false information.

“As far as I know, the commissioner has not resigned. He is just on leave,” Mutota said, adding that Nelumbu will take up his post after his leave period expires.

Mutota further reassured residents that the Kavango West Region has not been left without leadership, confirming that Deputy Commissioner Johannes Kudumo is serving as acting regional commander in the interim.

Reshuffle

Efforts to obtain comment from Nelumbu were unsuccessful. When contacted, he said he was busy and unable to respond.

Before his suspension last month, Inspector General Joseph Shikongo announced several senior police transfers affecting multiple regions and divisions, including Commissioner Julia Sakua’s move from Kavango West to Zambezi and Commissioner Andreas Shilelo’s transfer to Oshana, among others.

The police described the reshuffle as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the force and improving service delivery nationwide.

Shikongo, quoted by New Era, said some officers initially sought legal advice following the transfers but maintained the process was not disrupted. “There were a few that went to the lawyers, but without me stopping them … they made a U-turn. They came back and said, ‘No, General, we are no longer continuing with the lawyers,’” he said.