Windhoek
A police officer accused of dealing in drugs was granted bail on Wednesday in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court.
Eric Basson, 30, was arrested on January 15 after a raid at his house where cannabis and Mandrax tablets were found hidden in a package together with a knife and cellphone.
Sources said Basson wanted to give the drugs to an inmate at the holding cells that day.
A Keetmanshoop woman, Eveline Hartung, 42, is the second accused. She was arrested for allegedly having supplied the drugs to Basson for him to deliver to her son who is in police custody.
Both accused were granted bail of N$1 000 each.
The matter was remanded to April 28 for further investigations and to allow the accused to obtain legal aid.
Magistrate Philanda Christiaan presided and Yvonne McLeod represented the State.
The Minister of Safety and Security (Rtd) Major-General Charles Namoloh has previously warned police officers against tarnishing the image of the force.
Speaking in January while addressing a police passing out parade of the Basic Police Training Intake One of 2015 for Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre at Oshakati, Namoloh cautioned police officers who think that being uniformed makes them superior to the communities they serve.
He had said police officers are not above the law.
“As such we will not take kindly to members who opt to tarnish the image of the police force through reckless and irresponsible behaviour or by being accomplices in any criminal activity,” he said then.
At the same event Namoloh also said: “Some of you are just seated in the office, finishing oxygen, and when you are not promoted you come to my office or write letters to the Office of the President and the ombudsman. Who said you are going to be promoted?”