Negligent police officers to face the music
Action will be taken against the police officers who were on duty when five awaiting-trial detainees escaped from the Oshakati police station at the weekend.
Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that the officers would not go unpunished for being negligent while on duty.
Ndeitunga, who described the situation as “disturbing”, “unacceptable” and “embarrassing”, said he had instructed the Oshana regional commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, to ensure sure that action was taken.
“This is totally, totally unacceptable… It is so embarrassing in the eye of the public to hear that people who have been arrested because of having committed serious crimes are allowed to escape by the same police officers… For sure those police officers who were on duty that day will not escape from being charged for negligence,” Ndeitunga said.
“This is the most disturbing news, as I had given proper instructions to all regional commanders and station commanders that they should put in place strict measures to make sure that no more escapes from police stations take place, and whoever who disobeys the order will be charged,” Ndeitunga added.
Commissioner Amwele could not be reached for comment before going to print.
The escapees, who were described as “very dangerous”, were identified as Arsandri Wendelinus (27), accused of rape in 2013; Theodor Sebedeus (26), accused of murder in 2013; Lukas Simeon (26), charged with murder and rape in 2012; Johaness Haihambo (20) charged with robbery and assault in 2016; and Iipinge Gustav (28), also known as 'Tupac', who is facing charges of murder, assault and malicious damage to property dating back to 2015.
According to the police, the five escaped after cutting open the roof of their cell. They are suspected to have fled to the Omusati or Ohangwena regions, or to Angola via Oshikango.
Ndeitunga said the police would continue the hunt for the fugitives.
Escapes from the Oshakati police station are nothing new. In 2006, 11 awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the station's cells. In 2014, 12 detainees broke out of the same cells.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that the officers would not go unpunished for being negligent while on duty.
Ndeitunga, who described the situation as “disturbing”, “unacceptable” and “embarrassing”, said he had instructed the Oshana regional commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, to ensure sure that action was taken.
“This is totally, totally unacceptable… It is so embarrassing in the eye of the public to hear that people who have been arrested because of having committed serious crimes are allowed to escape by the same police officers… For sure those police officers who were on duty that day will not escape from being charged for negligence,” Ndeitunga said.
“This is the most disturbing news, as I had given proper instructions to all regional commanders and station commanders that they should put in place strict measures to make sure that no more escapes from police stations take place, and whoever who disobeys the order will be charged,” Ndeitunga added.
Commissioner Amwele could not be reached for comment before going to print.
The escapees, who were described as “very dangerous”, were identified as Arsandri Wendelinus (27), accused of rape in 2013; Theodor Sebedeus (26), accused of murder in 2013; Lukas Simeon (26), charged with murder and rape in 2012; Johaness Haihambo (20) charged with robbery and assault in 2016; and Iipinge Gustav (28), also known as 'Tupac', who is facing charges of murder, assault and malicious damage to property dating back to 2015.
According to the police, the five escaped after cutting open the roof of their cell. They are suspected to have fled to the Omusati or Ohangwena regions, or to Angola via Oshikango.
Ndeitunga said the police would continue the hunt for the fugitives.
Escapes from the Oshakati police station are nothing new. In 2006, 11 awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the station's cells. In 2014, 12 detainees broke out of the same cells.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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