Martin Endjala
The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, has asked residents to refrain from demanding that the police arrest suspected drought relief food thieves.
Her demands come after residents of Tsumeb accused Tsumeb Constituency Councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela and council officials of stealing the estimated N$100 000 worth of drought relief food last month.
“The Namibian Police also warned people not to demand the arrest of others but rather come to the police and give correct information or provide such information anonymously on the established platform. Finally, rest assured that the public will soon be updated in this regard,” she said.
This publication saw a message she wrote in a WhatsApp group named Roots of Tsumeb.
Since the news broke, Kalompo-Nashikaku has not responded to calls or questions sent to her.
She revealed that the Tsumeb and Oshivelo police stations, respectively, have registered two separate cases of drought relief food theft, leading to the arrest of three people thus far.
She said one case is from Tsumeb and a suspect has been granted bail, while two suspects in the Oshivelo case were denied bail.
“The two cases are serious and of high concern to all Namibians, irrespective, and should be handled with high sensitivity by all of us. The police should be allowed to professionally investigate these cases without fear or favour,” she said.
Kalompo-Nashikaku also invited members of the public with proper evidence-based information to notify the police, adding that the police would appreciate substantive information to assist its ongoing investigation.
“We invite members of the public with proper evidence-based information to notify the police (RCIC Dep Comm. Ekandjo, 0813248182, or myself, 0811293022),” she said.
Meanwhile, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist Johannes Johannes has cited the police’s lack of transparency in the matter, particularly on arrests made and progress when asked by the public, as creating doubt about whether they are serious about bringing the culprits to book.
The activist said the public’s accusations against those implicated in the stolen drought relief food are born from the frustration of community members who have been voicing their dissatisfaction with the manner in which drought relief is being handled.
Last week, Tsumeb residents took to the streets, demanding the closure of the town council office due to fear of interference by those implicated.
The community also demanded a response from the police, but they were unable to provide one.
