I learned to get to know retired Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga in 2008 when I invited him to Coblenz, upon the request of the traditional leaders who wanted to discuss the issue of crime in the area of Otjituuo and the absence of a police station at Coblenz.
As the regional councillor of the Otjozondjupa regional council from the Okakarara constituency, I submitted myself to the instruction of our beloved late chief Kaveru, headman Kandjeo and late senior councillor Kaahangoro. Our new inspector general then accepted our invitation, and in August 2008 landed in Coblenz, where we had a prolific meeting.
The hall was copiously filled by members of the community, who expressed their grievances. We proceeded to the field to identify the preferred plot suitable for a police station. The chairperson of the Coblenz Settlement Committee, Rapupara Tjipura, took the delegation to the plot we had reserved for the police station.
However, due to its proximity to the residential are,a we were advised to find another area, and the inspector general led the way to the north-west of Coblenz, on your way to Okakarara, where he identified the suitable plot for the Coblenz police station. It was because of that day that we have a police station in Coblenz and elsewhere.
A few months later, I received a call from retired Major General James Tjivikua, who conveyed the message from the inspector general that the construction of the Coblenz police station has been approved, and the constituency office must identify other areas that need similar services so that it can be included in the 2010/2011 financial year’s budget.
The constituency office, through the Constituency Development Committee, submitted the places to benefit from this gesture, mainly Coblenz, Okamatapati and Okatjoruu to get a police station C class, while the Okakarara police station was to benefit from some renovations as well as the construction of barracks. In 2014, the late Honorable Immanuel Uarotua Ngatjizeko as the minister of safety officiated at the inauguration of these police stations. Since the inspector general’s visit to the Okakarara constituency and Coblenz, in particular, I saw a lot of police stations being constructed in many settlements across the country, more especially in the areas known for a lack of development such as Gam, Aminius, Kongola, Okalongo and many more.
The former inspector general will be known as a man of action, a man who brought the police closer to the community in many parts of Namibia, but not all, even thou he tried his best. He will be known for tracing and arresting many criminals who committed crimes in Namibia. I will remember him as ‘Mr Miniskirt’, as a friend, compatriot and easy-going national leader. Whenever you send him a text message, he will find time to respond.
Above all, you will find him as a member of many WhatsApp group in spy rooms, listening to group members’ engagements. Even when you meet him in public, he will have time to greet you, talk to you, make jokes and have fun before you part ways. Go and retire well, my inspector general. But don’t get tired to contribute to the wellbeing of our society and Namibia at large. Let me make use of this opportunity to welcome the new Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, and congratulate him for the new assignment.
We are looking forward for you to entrust police duties in the hands of all Namibians as per their geographical locations. We need all tribes from the 14 regions to be recruited as police officers, and be promoted accordingly.
Your charge offices must be represented according to the language and culture spoken and practice in that area for fair and just service delivery. Promotion must be on meritocracy, not based on tribal links and comradeship or friendships, and women must not be forced to trade their bodies to get a promotion as man wishes. Give us a different taste of policing with the changes we believe in.