Otjomuise police probed for alleged abuse of confiscated goods, reselling drugs

The Namibian Police reportedly launched an investigation into officers at Otjomuise Police Station in Windhoek last month over allegations they misappropriated confiscated goods for personal use and resold drugs seized as evidence.The investigation followed an internal directive that ordered an urgent probe into alleged misconduct at the station.Namibian Sun has seen the directive, dated 12 December 2025, issued at the regional level, which instructed senior officers to immediately investigate a range of serious allegations involving members stationed at Otjomuise.It also called for a comprehensive report to be compiled and submitted by 29 December 2025.According to the document, the allegations include police officers confiscating goods such as cigarettes and alcohol from traders and using them for personal gain. The directive also referred to claims that drugs seized from suspects were allegedly resold.In addition, it raised concerns about police members making derogatory and discriminatory remarks on social media while in uniform, conduct which the document noted could bring the police force into disrepute.The directive explicitly stated that the alleged actions, if proven, would constitute violations of the Police Code of Conduct and could warrant both disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.Officers tasked with the investigation were instructed to identify all implicated members and ensure that the matter was handled with urgency and seriousness.Claims of lack of actionThe internal directive surfaced amid allegations made by a former police reservist who was discharged late last year.He told Namibian Sun recently that while still attached to Otjomuise Police Station, he reported cases of corruption, bribery and abuse of authority involving senior officers, but that no action was taken.The former reservist, Moses 'King' Kairimuti, claimed the misconduct he reported included officers confiscating drugs from suspects and later reselling them, as well as the misuse of state resources such as police vehicles, radios and blue lights to facilitate criminal activities. In the interview, he further alleged that some officers used police communication equipment to monitor patrol movements to avoid detection.Kairimuti claimed that he raised his concerns through several channels, including reporting to senior officers at the station, submitting complaints to the regional command, and contacting the Inspector-General’s office.He added that he had also alerted the ombudsman and the justice minister after his arrest and subsequent release on bail.Despite these efforts, Kairimuti alleged that no action was taken against the officers he implicated. Instead, he claimed he was discharged from the police reserve, a move he believes was linked to his decision to speak out rather than to any misconduct on his part.He maintained that his dismissal followed shortly after he persisted in raising the allegations.Detailed directiveSeveral of the issues raised by the former reservist mirror concerns outlined in the internal police directive. Both reference allegations of police officers misusing confiscated goods, involvement in drug-related misconduct and behaviour that could undermine public trust in the police.However, it remains unclear whether the allegations raised by Kairimuti form part of the investigation ordered in December or whether the probe has since been concluded.Although the directive required a full report to be submitted before the end of last year, no public information has been released on the outcome of that process.The former reservist further alleged that police officers arrested in connection with suspected crimes later accessed dockets for their own cases, raising concerns about the integrity of internal processes.He also claimed that some case files disappeared or were tampered with. These allegations have not been independently verified.Namibian Sun sought comment from the police on the status of the Otjomuise investigation, the allegations raised by the former reservist, and whether any officers have been disciplined or criminally charged.Responses were still outstanding at the time of publication.pillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Otjomuise police probed for alleged abuse of confiscated goods, reselling drugs

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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Otjomuise police probed for alleged abuse of confiscated goods, reselling drugs

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-19

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