Rundu cop probe almost done

Disciplinary proceedings against six Rundu police officers accused of negligence and failing to assist a family who were later brutally killed at the hands of a family member have been delayed but are ongoing.

Namibian police chief Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that the probe launched after a countrywide outcry and complaints of negligence of duty against the five male cops and one female police officer, whose names have been withheld to date, have been completed.

The cops are now undergoing disciplinary hearings as well as an internal investigation by the fitness board.

However, he said one of the accused police officers has requested that a member of the prosecutors handling the negligence charges should be recused on the grounds of conflict of interest.

Ndeitunga said the police officer is alleging that he and the police prosecutor have had “previous issues”.

Ndeitunga said despite the “delaying tactics, everything is in full swing. I am just waiting on the results of the hearings and the feedback from the fitness board.”

He said he, as well as the nation, “have to be patient, until due process is finalised”,

Ndeitunga said once the hearings have been finalised, and the board shared their findings, a decision on the fate of the cops will be made.

The internal investigation was launched in July after allegations surfaced that relatives of the five murder victims had called the police for help, but that the police had failed to respond citing lack of vehicles.

Multiple calls by the mother and sister of the murder suspect, Jesaya Gabriel Chuhunda (20), were allegedly dismissed by the police.

On Sunday, 1 July, Chuhundu allegedly bludgeoned to death his grandmother, Ndongo Ntumba (77); his mother, Ndara Elizabeth Mpande (46); and his three nephews, Musenge Petrus Muruti (6), Hausiku Daniel Kapumburu (4) and Musenge Elias Tjingelesu (3).

JANA-MARI SMITH