OSHIKANGO – About eight inmates were hospitalised after allegedly being assaulted and shot by police officers last week at Oshikango police station, this publication has found.
The victims have suffered various serious injuries from swollen eyes to broken arms, as well as scratch marks all over their faces. Some prisoners have reportedly been hospitalised at the Oshakati Hospital and the Engela District Hospital.
The head of the Criminal Investigations Unit in Ohangwena, Deputy Commissioner Zachariah Amakali, confirmed the incident.
He narrated that a group of 40 prisoners organised themselves, and cut off the CCTV cameras installed inside the holding cells.
Amakali said the detainees were also caught setting the CCTV cameras alight.
“They were discovered by the station commander, who saw them through the CCTV cameras placed in his office,” he added.
He stressed that when the inmates were approached by the officers on duty, they responded by attacking them.
“They punched the officers who were on duty. Prisoners didn’t want CCTV cameras inside their cells,” he continued.
Amakali said the police’s Special Field Force unit was roped in to intervene.
“Prisoners were shot with rubber bullets and assaulted with sticks,” he stated.
Cases related to the destruction of State property have been opened against the inmates.
Approached for comment, police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo described the incident as “very disturbing” yesterday.
“It’s a regrettable incident,” he said, adding that he was not defending inmates, but was against the use of excessive force by his officers.
“You can’t attack a human being like that. The police were supposed to use alternative ways,” Shikongo said.
On the other hand, he stated that the police may have acted in self-defence.
“Prisoners should adhere to the regulations, and they should listen to the officers. CCTV cameras are expensive, and they cost us a lot of money,” he observed.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the victims have called on Shikongo to dismiss those officers who meted out the attack on the inmates.
“Our family members are no longer safe in police custody. Those officers should be punished,” one of the victims’ relatives demanded.