Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-02-22 10:23:56
Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo has issued a stern warning to police officers regarding the leakage of confidential information. The caution comes in the wake of the unauthorized disclosure of the post-mortem report of one of the five victims who were killed by the police at Okahandja last year. The autopsy report was shared on social media by Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) economic commissar Michael Amushelelo.
Shikongo emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality within the police force, reminding officers of their oath of secrecy. He expressed concern over the leakage of sensitive information to external sources, particularly activists who then use the information to fuel public discourse. “You are reading the social media of activists… People have information that is supposed to be information of the Namibian Police. I just want to indicate that those who are giving information about the organisation, remember you took the oath of secrecy,” stated Shikongo.
The incident in question involved the fatal shooting of Erikki ‘Akawa’ Martin, Abed Andreas, Marius Ipinge, Malaika Kotokeni, and Flavianus Endjala by the police during a search operation in Okahandja. The police alleged that the individuals were involved in a robbery, prompting the use of lethal force. However, family members of the deceased have accused the police of unjustly targeting and killing the individuals under the guise of crime prevention.
Michael Amushelelo, the NEFF economic commissar, has been vocal in his criticism of the police’s handling of the case. He has accused the police of covering up the incident and failing to hold the involved officers accountable for their actions. In response, Shikongo reiterated the police’s commitment to transparency and legality, stating, “We, the police, are not hiding anything. We want those cases that are before the court to be dealt with by competent courts of law.”
In conclusion, the Namibian Police inspector general’s warning serves as a reminder to all officers regarding the confidentiality of police information. It underscores the importance of upholding the oath of secrecy and refraining from divulging sensitive details to external sources. The case of the Okahandja shooting continues to be a source of public concern and scrutiny, and the police’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be crucial in addressing these issues.
Read the original article on The Namibian
