Two arrested for Oshikoto drought-relief food theft
Two employees of the Tsumeb constituency office have been arrested in connection with the theft of drought-relief food worth N$100 000.
According to the Namibian Police, the food was allegedly stolen from the constituency office and was discovered at Leeu Pos farm in the Oshikoto Region’s Guinas constituency.
Oshikoto police regional commander Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku said the discovery was made following an intelligence-led operation and after a search was conducted.
One of the accused is 31-year-old Johannes Shaanika Mupetami, who appeared in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court last week and was denied bail. Kalompo-Nashikaku said a 42-year-old woman from Tsumeb has also been arrested in connection with the theft and is scheduled to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court today. Police investigations continue.
‘Sparked misinformation’
Last week, the Oshikoto Regional Council issued a statement that it had learnt of the alleged theft after an article on the matter appeared in Namibian Sun. Chief regional officer Christella Mwenyo said the report sparked debates and misinformation, adding that the regional council would like to add context to the matter.
While they appreciates the critical role the media plays in informing the public and exposing wrongdoing, this publication did not share details about the alleged stolen food items to enable the regional council to pronounce itself on the matter, she said.
“It is not clear whether the alleged stolen food items belong to the Oshikoto Region or were stolen from elsewhere. Equally, at this stage, the regional council did not receive any formal report of missing food items from our warehouse, constituency offices or a formal crime report from the Namibian Police,” she said. The council has since launched its own internal investigation.
This investigation is ongoing, Mwenyo said, adding that the council hopes to identify the circumstances under which the alleged theft took place to ensure that the necessary steps are taken against the alleged culprits.
She was not reachable for comment yesterday and neither was Tsumeb constituency councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela.
According to council spokesperson Petrus Nehale, they are still busy with internal investigations and have not yet received an official update from the police. The council would only pronounce itself on the matter once the investigation is complete, he said.
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According to the Namibian Police, the food was allegedly stolen from the constituency office and was discovered at Leeu Pos farm in the Oshikoto Region’s Guinas constituency.
Oshikoto police regional commander Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku said the discovery was made following an intelligence-led operation and after a search was conducted.
One of the accused is 31-year-old Johannes Shaanika Mupetami, who appeared in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court last week and was denied bail. Kalompo-Nashikaku said a 42-year-old woman from Tsumeb has also been arrested in connection with the theft and is scheduled to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court today. Police investigations continue.
‘Sparked misinformation’
Last week, the Oshikoto Regional Council issued a statement that it had learnt of the alleged theft after an article on the matter appeared in Namibian Sun. Chief regional officer Christella Mwenyo said the report sparked debates and misinformation, adding that the regional council would like to add context to the matter.
While they appreciates the critical role the media plays in informing the public and exposing wrongdoing, this publication did not share details about the alleged stolen food items to enable the regional council to pronounce itself on the matter, she said.
“It is not clear whether the alleged stolen food items belong to the Oshikoto Region or were stolen from elsewhere. Equally, at this stage, the regional council did not receive any formal report of missing food items from our warehouse, constituency offices or a formal crime report from the Namibian Police,” she said. The council has since launched its own internal investigation.
This investigation is ongoing, Mwenyo said, adding that the council hopes to identify the circumstances under which the alleged theft took place to ensure that the necessary steps are taken against the alleged culprits.
She was not reachable for comment yesterday and neither was Tsumeb constituency councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela.
According to council spokesperson Petrus Nehale, they are still busy with internal investigations and have not yet received an official update from the police. The council would only pronounce itself on the matter once the investigation is complete, he said.
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