Some police officers have expressed concern that they do not get danger allowance that would cover them when they execute their duties, as their colleagues in the Special Field Force.
They cited as an example of a police officer who was allegedly stabbed in March 2014 at the Katutura Police Station by a trial-waiting prisoner when he went into the cells.
Police officers want danger allowances, as they say working at courts is dangerous. An accused can come with guns in court, police officers added.
Magistrate Conchita Olivier, a magistrate who previously worked at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court but is now based in Otjiwarongo, was allegedly shocked to see an accused person, who is a police officer, come to court with an empty pistol holster. Olivier allegedly called Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga about the issue.
The head of the police public relations division Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi said, “The determination of the levels of grading were determined by the Department of Public Service Management in the Office of the Prime Minister, thus any question regarding the current pay structures and/or allowances should be directed to the Department of Public Service Management.”
New Era previously reported that the security scanner door at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court that makes sure no one brings in weapons does not work, as revealed by some staff at the court.
Ndeitunga at the time said that it was not brought to his attention.
It is not clear if the security scanner door has since been fixed.
Police officers also claim back pay backdated to April 2013. They also claim there is a wide gap between the annual salary of an inspector and chief inspector of N$100 000.
The Minister of Safety and Security Major-General (Rtd) Charles Namoloh was quoted by The Namibian newspaper early last month as having said, “Some police officers do not have passion for their work but have a passion for money only. That is why we have so many problems. A police officer works for three years and then wants a promotion.”
The officers were not happy with the comment, and they questioned whether Namoloh wants them to work for free.