Now I can become a politician – Ndeitunga

Former police chief inspector Sebastian Ndeitunga has lashed out at scrutiny over his post-retirement political activities, saying it is within his rights to become a politician if he so wishes.

Clad in full Swapo colours, Ndeitunga was among hordes of members celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the ruling party at Grootfontein last weekend.

He has been a Swapo member since fleeing into exile in 1974, but has not been seen actively participating in political activities since becoming a senior police figure in post-independence Namibia.

However, the Namibian Police under Ndeitunga has often come under heavy scrutiny over its perceived bias when dealing with Swapo issues – including how it handled the party’s blatant violations of Covid-19 regulations to celebrate its 60th birthday in 2020.

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activists, who broke similar regulations to help put up a shack for a homeless man in the Goreangab area of Katutura, were charged and hauled before the courts where they were convicted and fined.

No legal obstacles

In a defensive response to a Namibian Sun enquiry, Ndeitunga reiterated that he is no longer an active police chief, hence he is within his right to take part in politics.

“Did you ask all retired generals who attended the event the same question? Remember that I'm no longer an active inspector-general of the Namibian Police. And if I want, I can - without no legal obstacles - join active politics and become an active politician,” Ndeitunga said.

“That is my civic right and freedom! Anyone in the Namibian Police who wants to be an active politician can just resign from the organisation and join politics! Our society is based on the rule of law, and there is no law that prohibits me to join active politics.”

Worrisome situation

All People’s Party (APP) secretary-general Vinsent Kanyetu is amongst those who took aim at a photo of Ndeitunga in Swapo attire that has been circulating on social media, captioning it “finally he is out”.

Expanding on his social media post, Kanyetu said it was too soon for Ndeitunga to show his political home, especially given that during his tenure as police chief, a number of high profile cases involving Swapo figures emerged - but nothing much was done to make arrests and for people to face the wrath of the law.

“You see, as much as he is a private citizen now, the fact that he had a high and strategic position as the inspector-general of the police leaves me with questions.

“With the president linked to the Fishrot scandal, is [this] why he was never arrested? This is not only my concern but that of many people as to how a former inspector-general, just months after his retirement, is active in politics,” Kanyetu said.

“This is a worrisome situation. We can reflect on how state funerals were defying Covid-19 protocols but nothing was done.”

Kakistocracy

According to Landless People’s Movement deputy leader Henny Seibeb, “Ndeitunga has been always part of the deep state in Namibia, protecting and safeguarding the interests of rogue politicians, capital and patronage”.

“Even when he was the inspector-general, he used to attend Swapo braais at Swapo headquarters.

"The public shouldn't be surprised about such acts. We live in a kakistocracy,” he said.

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