By: Wonder Guchu
Police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga on Sunday says it was embarrassing that guns could go missing from the Windhoek Central Depot.
On Saturday, the Villager broke the story of the several guns discovered missing from the Windhoek Central Depot last Wednesday.
Although it is unclear how many guns went missing, police sources put the number at 90.
Police deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, who confirmed the missing guns on Saturday, said there was no break-in.
Deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed to The Villager that arms are missing, and an investigation is ongoing.
“The Central Depot was not broken into. However, it was discovered that it was open, and there are arms and ammunition missing,” she said on Saturday.
According to the sources, the head of the central depot deputy commission Louisa Kafidi, who keeps the keys to the safe, was appointed recently.
Ndeitunga told The Village that he was informed about the missing guns on Thursday, and he ordered an investigation with the report expected on Monday.
According to Ndeitunga, the area where the guns are kept is officers guarding it at all times.
In addition, he said, there are cameras, and if the cameras were not working, he never received a report about it.
“This is not just a sensitive issue, but it is also embarrassing,” he said.
Ndeitunga said the guns were in boxes, and it is not clear whether they were issued out and never recorded or someone stole them.
The Inspector-General also said it could be possible that the guns were taken out one by one at different times.
“It could also be that there is poor record-keeping,” Ndeitunga said.
He said there should be periodic checks done not only on the guns but all other departments of the police.
These periodic inspections can be done either once or twice a year.
The report he is expecting to receive on Monday, he said, should be able to give details of whether the periodic inspections were done.
Ndeitunga further said there are three checks done.
The first one is done by the directorate responsible for inspection in the force, while the second is done by the head of the procurement and logistics directorate, with the auditor general coming in to do the external audit on specific issues.
The Inspector-General said he would not want to jump the gun, but he suspects someone could have a duplicate key to the depot where the guns are kept.