By Elezo Libanda
WINDHOEK, Sept. 1 — Sebastian Ndeitunga passed on the instruments of power to the new chief of police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo at the change of command ceremony that was held at Israel Patrick Iyambo college in Windhoek.
During his farewell, Ndeitunga, who had been at the helm of the force for 17 years and four months, said he was honoured to serve the Namibian nation with pride.
Home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Albert Kawana who was also at the prestigious event, said it was another milestone in Namibian history as a transfer of power was being done peaceful, displaying democracy of the highest order.
The minister wished Ndeitunga a peaceful and joyful retirement.
The incoming inspector general is expected to bring changes in the force like acting on indiscipline in the force, favouritism, slow path of investigations, a shortage or lack of qualified detectives in the serious crime unit, a huge backlog because of manpower shortage in analysing samples at the police forensic unit.
The Namibian police have come under pressure to solve cases like the murder case of nine-year-old Cheryl Avihe Ujaha, whose body was found dismembered in the riverbed near Staanvas in Katutura, despite the police offering a reward of N$100 000, for any information that could lead to Ujaha’s killer (s) who remain(s) at large.
The new police chief will face challenges both old and new, however, the nation is looking at him for improved capacity to resolve complicated cases, such as money laundering, drug trafficking and other commercial crimes.
