‘Aging’ Ndeitunga didn’t mean his City threats literally
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga has clarified his out-of-character agitated remarks during a land grab incident this week when he threatened to take over the affairs of the Windhoek city council, which he blamed for the chaotic land confrontations.
Ndeitunga, usually a calm and collected police chief, said he was disturbed because the situation was getting out of hand while ‘some people’ were spending their time on issues that had nothing to do with the interest of the public – in an apparent dig at the Job Amupanda-led city council.
“Maybe it is also old age,” he quipped, but emphasised that his tone was elevated because it was a serious situation that should be addressed with urgency.
He also said he urged the council to get their house in order and avoid unruly behaviour and anarchy when he said, “if they are not careful, we are going to run over that council. And we will govern that council.”
The police general said his words were blown out of proportion and he never meant to overthrow the elected city councillors, as was widely suggested.
“The law enforcement agencies like the police are there to protect democratic institutions, not only to protect it but to enforce it.
“Therefore, there is no way that what I have said can be practically possible. We are talking about a democratic institution where people are elected into positions. Nobody should be worried about that, it is my obligation to make sure democratic institution are protected and respected,” said Ndeitunga.
Out of place
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has condemned Ndeitunga’s remarks as unconstitutional.
Venaani said it is not the place of the police to take part in affairs of a civilian government and that the City of Windhoek is intact and not in tatters.
“The government shenanigans to try to invoke sections in this city council without a democratic order shall not be allowed. We might have some differences here and there but we are now on course,” he said.
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WINDHOEK
Police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga has clarified his out-of-character agitated remarks during a land grab incident this week when he threatened to take over the affairs of the Windhoek city council, which he blamed for the chaotic land confrontations.
Ndeitunga, usually a calm and collected police chief, said he was disturbed because the situation was getting out of hand while ‘some people’ were spending their time on issues that had nothing to do with the interest of the public – in an apparent dig at the Job Amupanda-led city council.
“Maybe it is also old age,” he quipped, but emphasised that his tone was elevated because it was a serious situation that should be addressed with urgency.
He also said he urged the council to get their house in order and avoid unruly behaviour and anarchy when he said, “if they are not careful, we are going to run over that council. And we will govern that council.”
The police general said his words were blown out of proportion and he never meant to overthrow the elected city councillors, as was widely suggested.
“The law enforcement agencies like the police are there to protect democratic institutions, not only to protect it but to enforce it.
“Therefore, there is no way that what I have said can be practically possible. We are talking about a democratic institution where people are elected into positions. Nobody should be worried about that, it is my obligation to make sure democratic institution are protected and respected,” said Ndeitunga.
Out of place
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has condemned Ndeitunga’s remarks as unconstitutional.
Venaani said it is not the place of the police to take part in affairs of a civilian government and that the City of Windhoek is intact and not in tatters.
“The government shenanigans to try to invoke sections in this city council without a democratic order shall not be allowed. We might have some differences here and there but we are now on course,” he said.
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