Charges coming for Rundu cops
The investigation into alleged negligence by the Rundu police leading to the death of five people, may see up to six officers charged.
An internal Namibian police probe could likely see five or six Rundu police officers charged with negligence of duty connected to the recent mass murder of five family members ranging in age from 77 to 3, at the start of July by a 20-year-old man.
On Friday, the police's Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed that the preliminary internal investigation into police negligence allegations is nearing completion and between “five or six officers” have been identified and will likely be charged in the days to come.
The internal inquiry was launched following a public outcry when allegations were made on social media that the sister of the 20-year-old suspect, Jesaya Chuhunda, had contacted the police for assistance shortly before the mass murder.
She was allegedly informed that no one could attend to her emergency call because of a lack of vehicles. The murders took place shortly after at the Rundu Ndama informal settlement.
Chuhunda, who was denied bail after his arrest, is accused of bludgeoning to death five family members, including his 77-year-old grandmother Ndongo Ntumba, his biological mother Ndara Elizabeth, 46, and his nephews Musenge Petrus, 6, Daniel Hausiku, 4, and Musenge Elifas, aged 3.
Ndeitunga on Friday stressed that once the officers have been charged accordingly, internal hearings will be conducted with each individual, and the resulting findings and recommendations submitted to him.
He said once he has reviewed the findings and recommendations, a final decision will be made as to actions taken against the officers.
The police chief added that while he could not yet share the overall results of the on-going investigation, he has been informed that the Rundu police station has at least three vehicles available, but added that some or all of those vehicles were “probably attending to other complaints”.
Enough is enough
Ndeitunga on Friday underlined his commitment to address police corruption and laziness, in addition to a lack of professionalism across the board, from senior to junior police officials.
He said major issues include absenteeism, especially after weekends and paydays, and dockets being misplaced, lost or poorly investigated.
“This is all contrary to ethics and the code of conduct. I want to see a vast change in that regard. I want zero incidents in this regard. And whoever is involved in these types of things, I have ordered commanders and supervisors to take drastic measures. And if they don't, I will.”
He repeated his call for a complete overhaul and radical improvement of police professionalism and effectiveness in Namibia, which has been a central message to staff during various staff talks given in the regions in the past months.
“My goal is to make sure the officers in our police force reach a higher level and standard whereby our Namibian community will place a higher level of trust and confidence in the force. We can do it, but we need all of us, police management and rank and file to work together to root out those bad apples. It's not a one man show.”
He said the public can help by reporting “bad service, corrupt and lazy police officers, criminal police officers” to help government “deal with those who receive salary's they don't deserve and those who are in uniform but don't deserve to be”.
DEADLINES
In line with the stated commitment to overhaul the police image and effectiveness countrywide, Ndeitunga said he has given a three-month deadline to the Khomas police to show visible, statistical results of improved work.
“I gave them three months and on October 31, I will call a parade and I will ask them all to account to me. They need to show me statistics of reduced crime in the region. I need to see evidence.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
On Friday, the police's Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed that the preliminary internal investigation into police negligence allegations is nearing completion and between “five or six officers” have been identified and will likely be charged in the days to come.
The internal inquiry was launched following a public outcry when allegations were made on social media that the sister of the 20-year-old suspect, Jesaya Chuhunda, had contacted the police for assistance shortly before the mass murder.
She was allegedly informed that no one could attend to her emergency call because of a lack of vehicles. The murders took place shortly after at the Rundu Ndama informal settlement.
Chuhunda, who was denied bail after his arrest, is accused of bludgeoning to death five family members, including his 77-year-old grandmother Ndongo Ntumba, his biological mother Ndara Elizabeth, 46, and his nephews Musenge Petrus, 6, Daniel Hausiku, 4, and Musenge Elifas, aged 3.
Ndeitunga on Friday stressed that once the officers have been charged accordingly, internal hearings will be conducted with each individual, and the resulting findings and recommendations submitted to him.
He said once he has reviewed the findings and recommendations, a final decision will be made as to actions taken against the officers.
The police chief added that while he could not yet share the overall results of the on-going investigation, he has been informed that the Rundu police station has at least three vehicles available, but added that some or all of those vehicles were “probably attending to other complaints”.
Enough is enough
Ndeitunga on Friday underlined his commitment to address police corruption and laziness, in addition to a lack of professionalism across the board, from senior to junior police officials.
He said major issues include absenteeism, especially after weekends and paydays, and dockets being misplaced, lost or poorly investigated.
“This is all contrary to ethics and the code of conduct. I want to see a vast change in that regard. I want zero incidents in this regard. And whoever is involved in these types of things, I have ordered commanders and supervisors to take drastic measures. And if they don't, I will.”
He repeated his call for a complete overhaul and radical improvement of police professionalism and effectiveness in Namibia, which has been a central message to staff during various staff talks given in the regions in the past months.
“My goal is to make sure the officers in our police force reach a higher level and standard whereby our Namibian community will place a higher level of trust and confidence in the force. We can do it, but we need all of us, police management and rank and file to work together to root out those bad apples. It's not a one man show.”
He said the public can help by reporting “bad service, corrupt and lazy police officers, criminal police officers” to help government “deal with those who receive salary's they don't deserve and those who are in uniform but don't deserve to be”.
DEADLINES
In line with the stated commitment to overhaul the police image and effectiveness countrywide, Ndeitunga said he has given a three-month deadline to the Khomas police to show visible, statistical results of improved work.
“I gave them three months and on October 31, I will call a parade and I will ask them all to account to me. They need to show me statistics of reduced crime in the region. I need to see evidence.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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