Four cops behind bars for domestic violence

Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga says victims of domestic violence, allegedly committed by police officers, are now coming forward since last week's murder/suicide at the Louis Botha supermarket in Windhoek.

Ndeitunga said since Friday, four police officers have been arrested after their alleged victims opened cases against them.

Those in custody include an inspector, a warrant officer and two constables.

“This is disturbing and tarnishing the image of the police further, especially knowing the current perception of the public toward the police force. How many more are there not?” Ndeitunga said. Alina Kakehongo (24) was gunned down by her ex-boyfriend, 28-year-old Special Reserve Force member Samuel Shali Nghihepa, in the shop where she worked as a manager. The police officer then shot himself. According to the police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, a total of 11 cases of gender-based violence were reported over the weekend.

These ranged from rape to attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault and assault by threat.

Ten people were arrested, four of whom were police officers. An officer from the VIP protection directorate was arrested in Windhoek on Saturday after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and daughter and threatened to kill them.

The warrant officer was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. A woman alleged the officer hit her head against a wall several times at Single Quarters in Katutura, after he apparently heard her talking to the father of her children from a previous relationship. In another incident, a police constable from Koës was arrested on Friday night after he allegedly grabbed his 32-year-old wife by her braids in a jealous rage and pulled her out of a local club in the town.



The incident occurred at Club Indaba at about 23:00.



The victim sustained bruises to her forehead and also had a swollen eye. The constable has been charged with common assault.



In another incident at Mariental, a police constable was arrested on Saturday after allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.



The police officer is accused of beating the woman, who is eight months pregnant, with his fists and police belt.



It is further claimed that the woman, a nurse, has endured several incidents of assault since January last year.



The latest incident occurred at about 20:00 at the Mariental state hospital nurses' home.



The victim was found with bruises to her right eye.



Her room was also damaged during the assault.



The police officer was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.



In Windhoek, a police inspector was arrested on Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill his wife and expose her on social media.



A case of assault by threat was laid against the inspector, who is based at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Training Centre.



He was arrested on Friday at the about 07:30 at the Roman Catholic Hospital.



Kanguatjivi said the public may have been suffering in silence, but following last week's incident, there seems to be a realisation that gender-based violence must be reported.



He said this is an indication that no one is above the law and even police officers can be arrested.



He said anyone who suffers abuse or any form of violence at the hands of their partners should not hesitate to report them.



“Offenders will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.”

ELLANIE SMIT