…As activist and senior cops back him
By Stefanus Nashama
Suspended police chief lieutenant general Joseph Shikongo says he does not mind retaining the office he was removed from, if ordered to do so.
Shikongo shared these remarks recently during an interview with Confidente.
“I do not have any problem coming back into the police service. I am only waiting for the appointing authority to pronounce itself,” Shikongo said.
He was removed from the highest police office by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in May, following a security breach at State House, when a Windhoek resident, Giano Seibeb (29), was allegedly found naked at the presidential residence, prompting concerns over the president’s security.
Recently, Seibeb was reportedly declared a patient who is to be detained in a mental institution or prison until the President authorises his release.
In June, a team of mental health specialists is said to have found Seibeb unfit to stand trial and to be held accountable due to mental illness.
The Security Commission has since made recommendations for the general’s suspension to be investigated and for Nandi-Ndaitwah to make a final decision.
According to sources close to the matter, Shikongo had not been found to have any faults in the matter by the Security Commission.
Despite various talks concerning his suspension, Shikongo told this publication that he does not have issues with anyone, not even the Government or individuals in the Police Force.
“I do not hate anyone or the government, not even those who served under me. The police is not for me, it is for the nation and for the system to keep operation efficiently and effectively,” he added.
At the same time, Shikongo refuted allegations that he was called back to work but refused.
“I have never been called back to the office yet. I am yet to hear from the appointing authority. Whatever decision comes, I will have no other option than to respect it,” he said.
Shikongo said many people still call him asking about his health after the suspension.
“I thank God. I am still fine, both mentally and physically.”
He further said people call him asking about police services, but what he does is give them contact details where they can call and get assistance.
“That is all I can do since I am on suspension. We try to avoid issues. The police should continue working even if I am there or not.”
Shikongo urged the Namibian Police Force to continue working together and serve the nation to the best of its ability.
“Those who want me back to work should understand that I was put on a suspension that came wherever it came from. Such a matter is still under investigations. If the decision, after the investigations, come in my favour, I can still work for those months remaining, if it does not favour me, I can still be at home where I am currently staying.”
Presidential spokesperson, Jonas Mbambo said given the nature of the matter and the processes involved, there is limited information that can appropriately be shared publicly at this stage.
“The presidency is mindful of the public interest in the matter. However, it is equally important that the relevant processes are allowed to proceed through the appropriate structures without public commentary that may pre-empt or interfere with their work,” Mbambo said.
He added that any information that is appropriate for public communication, would be conveyed through the relevant channels.
“I trust you will appreciate the need for this necessary discretion,” he said.
Commenting on the suspension was social activist Michael Amushelelo, who believes the general’s suspension was suspicious.
Previously, Amushelelo had publicly called for Shikongo’s removal from his office duties, following a matter that Confidente understands could not be mentioned at this stage due to its court legitimacy.
“Yes, I was calling for general Shikongo’s resignation for what I cannot say now since it is still under court, however, his suspension has no ground of what really let him go,” Amushelelo said.
“His suspension is suspicious and not clear to some of us,” he added.
According to him, if Shikongo was suspended because of a naked man who was found at State House, the person who should be held accountable should not be him but whoever was in charge of presidential residence security during the incident.
“You hold accountable the person who was in charge. Not Shikongo. There are merits on his suspension but I cannot speak about them since they are against myself,” he mentioned.
Amushelelo further said Shikongo’s suspension only came about two weeks after he reshuffled some key strategic police commissioners to different regions.
“To some of us, that might be what transpired to his suspension because we are not convinced that the story of a naked man led to him being removed from his duty.”
Some senior cops who spoke on the condition of anonymity praised Shikongo for what he has done for the security institution.
They said he left many police officers happy and smiling over the promotions they had received.
“Police officers were mostly promoted during general Shikongo’s tenure. Police stations were built almost countrywide and more recruitments to young people were made,” sources said.
They also believed Shikongo was always visible to the public when most needed.
“Shikongo used to be at the forefront with commanders to execute the mandate of the security. You can call him during the mid- nights but he could pick up calls,” they said.
