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) said when the NCS received the group accused from the police, he issued an operational order for the management of the accused persons in the Fishrot scandal.
The order clearly restricts movement and aims to minimise access of officers to the accused, movement of the accused from the unit where they are accommodated and movement as well as inspection of goods for the accused.
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, but also highlighted its zero-tolerance stance for these rogue officers.
“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.”
In addition, he said all correctional officers undergo basic training for six months, where the subjects of manipulation, unauthorised articles, disciplinary measures and all related matters and policies form part of the training.
Hamunyela said as for intelligence and new methods of training, the NCS has various stakeholders and partners such as Namibia Central Intelligence Service who assist in this regard.
Weak links
“Every chain is only as strong as its weakest link and, at times, the weak link is embedded in the human resources who at times may be susceptible to manipulation and deception by inmates.”
He stressed that the NCS ranks amongst the best in terms of its evidence-based strategy, the offender risk management correctional strategy, which aims to deliver psychosocial, educational, vocational and other support programmes to rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society.
According to him, the NCS also continues to save government million as it strives towards self-sufficiency through food production.
“Divundu Correctional Facility is today the only successful agricultural entity in the north-eastern regions of the country.”
It currently produces maize, pork, beef, wheat and vegetables, and contributes to the feeding of inmates both under the NCS and the police, he said.
[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) said when the NCS received the group accused from the police, he issued an operational order for the management of the accused persons in the Fishrot scandal.
The order clearly restricts movement and aims to minimise access of officers to the accused, movement of the accused from the unit where they are accommodated and movement as well as inspection of goods for the accused.
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, but also highlighted its zero-tolerance stance for these rogue officers.
“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.”
In addition, he said all correctional officers undergo basic training for six months, where the subjects of manipulation, unauthorised articles, disciplinary measures and all related matters and policies form part of the training.
Hamunyela said as for intelligence and new methods of training, the NCS has various stakeholders and partners such as Namibia Central Intelligence Service who assist in this regard.
Weak links
“Every chain is only as strong as its weakest link and, at times, the weak link is embedded in the human resources who at times may be susceptible to manipulation and deception by inmates.”
He stressed that the NCS ranks amongst the best in terms of its evidence-based strategy, the offender risk management correctional strategy, which aims to deliver psychosocial, educational, vocational and other support programmes to rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society.
According to him, the NCS also continues to save government million as it strives towards self-sufficiency through food production.
“Divundu Correctional Facility is today the only successful agricultural entity in the north-eastern regions of the country.”
It currently produces maize, pork, beef, wheat and vegetables, and contributes to the feeding of inmates both under the NCS and the police, he said.
[email protected]
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