Mariental
A trial-awaiting inmate at the Mariental holding cells says he is being treated unfairly as he is not given the food prescribed by his doctor.
Arrested in February this year in connection with a robbery in the Maltahöhe area, Phillipus Shovaleka says he was diagnosed with diabetes and thus requires a special diet which includes fruit, vegetables, chicken and 100 percent juice, among other foods, but all he gets is brown bread, porridge and beans.
He says this has forced him to use about N$2 000 per month to buy his own food, which is depleting his funds and his business which is his only source of income. The business can’t operate without him, meaning he won’t be able to afford his food in the long run.
“My money is finished and my business can’t operate without me,” he said.
Shovaleka narrated to New Era that during his court appearance the investigating officer in the case, Detective Warrant Officer Elia Ngeana, said before court that the special diet would be provided as long as the list of food is provided.
The doctor provided the list, he says, but he still receives the same food as other inmates.
The police are also supposed to take him to hospital whenever he feels sick as per instruction of his doctor, but they refuse, he says.
“My doctor advised that I be taken for medical attention whenever I feel ill but the police always refuse to take me to hospital.”
Speaking to the station commander Chief Inspector Gerson Garoeb in a telephonic interview, he denied all the allegations and hit back saying the allegations are just “jackal’s tactics” by the inmate to try and get out of prison.
“The man just wants to go out on bail, it’s not about his health,” he said.
He acknowledged that he was aware the inmate is diabetic according to his medical report, but says the magistrate in the case ordered him to buy his own food and not the police, as alleged by him.
He further indicated it is impossible to provide any inmate with a separate special diet, as there is a standard diet for all inmates.
He further questioned the inmate’s health status, asking if the inmate already had diabetes before his arrest or whether it just started after his arrest, noting it might just be a tactic to get out of prison as he was refused bail due to ongoing police investigations into the case.
The food in Namibian prisons has been in the spotlight of late, as inmates have complained of tasteless food and the lack of a balanced diet, as reported by the local media.
The situation will however not be changing for the better soon, as suggested by the Minister of Safety and Security Major-General (Rtd) Charles Namoloh during his familiarization tour of the Hardap Region last month.
Namoloh in referring to the media reports said if people want good food they should stay free of criminal activities and out of prison.
“You didn’t come to a hotel; if you want good food don’t commit crimes so that you can stay at home and eat good food,” he said.