Fishrot accused at nexus of prison scandals
Ellanie Smit
WINDHOEK
A correctional officer was forced to resign after being caught communicating with one of the Fishrot accused. Evidence suggested they were engaging in a telephonic affair.
Meanwhile, a senior correctional officer was suspended for allegedly smuggling a cell phone to one of the Fishrot accused, while another officer was suspended on accusations of escorting one of the accused to an industrial workshop without authorisation.
Commissioner General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela of the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) confirmed the incidents. He said when the NCS received the Fishrot accused from the police, he issued an operational order for the management of the men accused of masterminding the Fishrot scandal.
He said that there has also been a myriad of staff rotations when irregularities or minor transgression are observed. The Fishrot accused include Ricardo Gustavo, former ministers Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala, Tamson and James Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Otneel Shuudifonya, Philipus Mwapopi, Mike Nghipunya and Nigel van Wyk.
Not our only concern
Hamunyela, however, added that these men are not the NCS’s only concern, as mobile phones and other unauthorised objects such drugs and escape-aiding equipment are equally a threat to the safety and security of correctional facilities and the public.
Within the past three years, five correctional officers have been dismissed for smuggling unauthorised articles into correctional facilities.
This occurred between 1 January 2019 and 31 January this year.
Hamunyela said four other correctional officers are awaiting disciplinary hearings and, if found guilty, will also be dismissed.
He said the NCS has acknowledged the complicity of correctional staff in the smuggling of unauthorised articles into correctional facilities.
“I have issued orders, administrative directives and policies to deal with matters of breach of operational procedures and policies and disciplinary procedures are instituted to stem ill-discipline.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
A correctional officer was forced to resign after being caught communicating with one of the Fishrot accused. Evidence suggested they were engaging in a telephonic affair.
Meanwhile, a senior correctional officer was suspended for allegedly smuggling a cell phone to one of the Fishrot accused, while another officer was suspended on accusations of escorting one of the accused to an industrial workshop without authorisation.
Commissioner General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela of the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) confirmed the incidents. He said when the NCS received the Fishrot accused from the police, he issued an operational order for the management of the men accused of masterminding the Fishrot scandal.
He said that there has also been a myriad of staff rotations when irregularities or minor transgression are observed. The Fishrot accused include Ricardo Gustavo, former ministers Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala, Tamson and James Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Otneel Shuudifonya, Philipus Mwapopi, Mike Nghipunya and Nigel van Wyk.
Not our only concern
Hamunyela, however, added that these men are not the NCS’s only concern, as mobile phones and other unauthorised objects such drugs and escape-aiding equipment are equally a threat to the safety and security of correctional facilities and the public.
Within the past three years, five correctional officers have been dismissed for smuggling unauthorised articles into correctional facilities.
This occurred between 1 January 2019 and 31 January this year.
Hamunyela said four other correctional officers are awaiting disciplinary hearings and, if found guilty, will also be dismissed.
He said the NCS has acknowledged the complicity of correctional staff in the smuggling of unauthorised articles into correctional facilities.
“I have issued orders, administrative directives and policies to deal with matters of breach of operational procedures and policies and disciplinary procedures are instituted to stem ill-discipline.”
[email protected]
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