Seven police officers arrested for alleged bribery at Oshikoto

General


The Namibian Police Force ( NamPol ) in the Oshikoto Region has arrested seven police officers for allegedly accepting a bribe of N . dollar 17 000 from two seven – seater drivers to allow them to pass through a checkpoint with illicit goods and bales without the required permits . According to the region ‘ s NamPol Crime Investigation Coordinator , Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo , the incident occurred between January 2024 and August 2024 at the Oshivelo Police checkpoint in the Oshikoto Region . The suspects were arrested on Friday , and a case of contravening Section 43 of the Anti – Corruption Act , Act 8 of 2003 ( corruptly using office or position for gratification ) has been opened against them . Ekandjo reported that on 25 August 2024 , an operation was carried out by officers from the Oshivelo Police Station following a tip – off about two seven – seater vehicles suspected of carrying illicit goods and bales , travelling on the B1 road towards the Oshivelo Police checkpoint from the Onhuno and On
gha villages in the Ohangwena Region . ” The information was received at about 03h52 , and it was further reported that the seven – seater drivers were in contact with individual police officers working at the Oshivelo checkpoint , who allegedly allowed them to pass through the checkpoint with illicit goods and bales of clothes without being searched ,” he said . He added that after a follow – up , the two seven – seater vehicles were intercepted and found in possession of illicit goods and bales without permits . ” The seven – seater drivers revealed which police officers they communicated with to pass through the checkpoint without being searched . They provided the names and mobile phone numbers of the officers , as well as communication messages and records of payments made to the officers via FNB E – Wallet and Pay2Cell ,” Ekandjo reported . He further stated that a total of nine police officers were implicated , with a combined sum of N . dollars 17 000 paid to them . Seven suspects were arrested , whil
e two remain at large . The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance before the Tsumeb Magistrate ‘ s Court on Monday , while investigations continue .

Source: The Namibia News Agency