2015-03-18Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK - The police investigations directorate is probing allegations that some female police officers in Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region secretly date trial-awaiting male inmates. Head of the Police Public Relations Department, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed the investigations yesterday. Kanguatjivi said the allegations stem from last year. “The preliminary statements have been taken and once the investigations are completed, the docket will be sent to the Prosecutor General’s office to determine what actions should be taken,” the deputy commissioner added. He could not provide a timeframe within which the investigations will be completed. Kanguatjivi further said currently the investigation is only focussed on policewomen in Grootfontein. According to him, female police officers are procedurally forbidden from dealing with male prisoners, while male police officers are also not allowed to deal with female inmates. “They can lock them up but they cannot search them,” he said, further explaining that police officers are not allowed to search prisoners of the opposite sex. While inaugurating the upgraded police barracks in Grootfontein, the Minister of Safety and Security Immanuel Ngatjizeko on Friday condemned allegations that women police officers were having love affairs with suspects held at the Grootfontein police station. The barracks are to accommodate about 50 officers. The minister expressed disappointment saying the issue was uncalled for. “You took oaths to protect and safeguard this country and its people and properties, now how do you fall in love with a criminal as a police officer? I strongly condemn this. I am waiting for proper actions to be taken against you,” he said. 2015-03-18Staff Report 2
