Maria David
MEMBERS of the security forces has no power to dish out sentences of any kind or punish any civilian when found in contravention of National laws or even regulations of the State of Emergency.
The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, during a parade held at the New Oshana Regional Police Headquarters in Oshakati, said that the duty of any security officer is to investigate an offence and not to dish out punishment as they see fit.
General Ndeitunga made the remarks while announcing the suspension of eight members of the Namibian Police in Ondangwa for the maltreatment of a civilian during their operation of enforcing the State of Emergency regulations.
According to Ndeitunga, the eight suspended officers are waiting for departmental trial and if any criminal offence has been established they will be charged.
“We have to avoid the use of excessive force and when minimum force is applied in a situation such actions should be justifiable,” he said.
Ndeitunga indicated that suspension of the officers follows the incident where an unidentified man was forced to roll in the dirt while they poured tombo over him. The incident which was captured on video occurred in Ondangwa about two weeks ago.
The general pointed out that the deeds of some members of the security forces are embarrassing to their comrades, their commanders, the government and the nation at large.
“We should never humiliate any suspects at all and ensure we don’t brutalize members of the public that we come across,” said Ndeitunga, adding that people should be investigated without being humiliated by any member of the security forces.
General Ndeitunga also cautioned members of the pubic particularly in Oshakati, Ondangwa and Rundu to refrain from leaving their homes unnecessarily as that would put them in contravention of the regulations of the State of Emergency.
“During the State of Emergency citizens freedom of movement and association is limited and people should understand this,” he said.
