Police chiefs duck ‘drunk’ driver scandal
Khomas police bigwigs yesterday sent journalists from pillar to post amid serious allegations that a station commander ordered junior traffic officers not to charge a “drunk as a skunk” motorist connected to her.
WhatsApp communication on a police group shows many in the force were angry at the fact that the driver, Nande Kapolo, was let go - despite his alcohol level being an extreme 1.69 mg/l, way above the legal limit of 0.37 mg/l.
Kapolo, a ministry of home affairs official, was also found with a driver’s licence that expired in May this year.
“This man was arrested by new [recruits]... refused to provide breath specimen, in the struggle to hospital, instruction was given by station commander of Otjomuise [police station] for him to be released,” one officer said on the WhatsApp group.
“This issue has demoralised the members and they gave up on operations and roadblocks,” the officer continued.
Commenting on the issue, Khomas traffic police chief inspector Hiiko asked on the group: “What was the reason given by Otjomuise station commander? This is defeating the end of justice”.
When Namibian Sun called Hiiko to ask whether his office is investigating the matter, he refused to comment, saying he was on leave.
‘Enlighten me’
Otjomuise police station commander Rauha Hamunyela said the incident was ‘news’ to her before hanging up.
Screenshots show the police regional commander for the Khomas Region, Commissioner David Indongo, asking for more details on the matter.
"Can someone enlighten me on this matter? I am disturbed about it.
“Please, I am waiting commanders," Indongo remarked.
He further wrote: "Chief Hiiko, call me if you have information on this matter so that I take that commander to the DIG OPS [presumably deputy inspector general for operations] so that she can explain better whether she has the mandate to interfere in traffic matters," he said.
When Namibian Sun called Indongo for comment yesterday, he said he did not approach his officers for details on the matter.
"I don't have to call for an update. I just need to be called and be briefed,” he said.
Reasons
Indongo insisted that there could have been a good reason why such a decision was taken, saying "each case needs to be treated on its own merit".
He further emphasised that there are instances when drunk drivers are not arrested, but rather escorted home.
"The reasons are to avoid causing accidents and also for the driver’s own safety," he said, without explaining why other intoxicated drivers get arrested every other day.
WhatsApp communication on a police group shows many in the force were angry at the fact that the driver, Nande Kapolo, was let go - despite his alcohol level being an extreme 1.69 mg/l, way above the legal limit of 0.37 mg/l.
Kapolo, a ministry of home affairs official, was also found with a driver’s licence that expired in May this year.
“This man was arrested by new [recruits]... refused to provide breath specimen, in the struggle to hospital, instruction was given by station commander of Otjomuise [police station] for him to be released,” one officer said on the WhatsApp group.
“This issue has demoralised the members and they gave up on operations and roadblocks,” the officer continued.
Commenting on the issue, Khomas traffic police chief inspector Hiiko asked on the group: “What was the reason given by Otjomuise station commander? This is defeating the end of justice”.
When Namibian Sun called Hiiko to ask whether his office is investigating the matter, he refused to comment, saying he was on leave.
‘Enlighten me’
Otjomuise police station commander Rauha Hamunyela said the incident was ‘news’ to her before hanging up.
Screenshots show the police regional commander for the Khomas Region, Commissioner David Indongo, asking for more details on the matter.
"Can someone enlighten me on this matter? I am disturbed about it.
“Please, I am waiting commanders," Indongo remarked.
He further wrote: "Chief Hiiko, call me if you have information on this matter so that I take that commander to the DIG OPS [presumably deputy inspector general for operations] so that she can explain better whether she has the mandate to interfere in traffic matters," he said.
When Namibian Sun called Indongo for comment yesterday, he said he did not approach his officers for details on the matter.
"I don't have to call for an update. I just need to be called and be briefed,” he said.
Reasons
Indongo insisted that there could have been a good reason why such a decision was taken, saying "each case needs to be treated on its own merit".
He further emphasised that there are instances when drunk drivers are not arrested, but rather escorted home.
"The reasons are to avoid causing accidents and also for the driver’s own safety," he said, without explaining why other intoxicated drivers get arrested every other day.
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