Ex-cop threatens lawsuit over detention
A former police constable is threatening to sue the State for unlawful detention, after he spent seven weeks in the Windhoek Police Station holding cells for allegedly robbing a hitchhiker.
Naboth Helao Nandenga, 36, who was released from custody last week following his arrest on September 7, says he will consult his lawyer about suing the Ministry of Safety and Security.
He is claiming that his detention was the result of police investigators “ignorantly†failing to comply with a Windhoek Magistrate’s Court order that the theft case against him be transferred to Oshakati.
Nandenga said he was arrested in Windhoek after a warrant of arrest was issued by the Oshakati police. This followed the hitchhiker alleging that he was robbed of a bag containing clothes in June.
Nandenga told Namibian Sun that on September 10, a Windhoek magistrate ruled that the matter be transferred to Oshakati on September 27.
However, according to Nandenga, police investigators failed to have him transferred in time, despite his pleas that he would miss his court date.
As a result Nandenga, who is originally from Oshakati, spent over a month without access to his lawyer and family.
He was released last week after appearing again in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
Nandenga denied stealing the hitchhiker’s clothes and said an agreement was reached between the two of them that the luggage would be returned when the man paid him for the lift between Oshakati and Windhoek.
“I suffered a lot while I was in the police holding cell. I was assaulted and also refused proper access to medication when my asthma pump finished. The stress of how I was being treated has left me with high blood pressure. I am not happy with how the justice system has failed me and worse at the hands of my former employers,†Nandenga said.
Nandenga added that upon his release, he tried to enquire from the Oshakati police investigators about his case, but was shocked to learn the docket could not be traced.
“I think this is the reason the police failed to bring me before the court to try me. I have lost my job as an accountant, because I was away for a long period,†said Nandenga.
Nampol Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi could not comment, saying he is not aware of such a matter.
“I am not aware of such an incident, I promise to look into the complaint as soon as I return back into my office, as am out on official duties,†he said.
WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA
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