Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has launched an internal investigation into an immigration official who is accused of accepting bribes from foreign nationals in exchange for being released from prison.
The immigration officer, Abner Nangolo, has arrested 10 foreign nationals and kept them in jail without the authorities’ knowledge, the ministry says.
Nangolo was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 20 October, has been granted bail, and is expected to appear in court again on 11 January.
Nangolo allegedly solicited a bribe of N$1 500 from one foreign national, in addition to N$3 000 solicited from another. The bribes could amount to more as Nangolo has arrested at least 10 foreign nationals.
“Internal investigation is taking place and the ministry’s security department is leading in this regard. The investigation is ongoing. Mr Abner Nangolo is out on bail,” ministry spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa said this week.
Nangolo is still going to work. Executive director of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Etienne Maritz in a media statement said Nangolo did not inform the ministry of arresting the foreign nationals.
The ministry released the immigrants while The Namibian was probing the matter. “The ministry has launched an investigation into Mr Nangolo’s conduct, and once the investigation is concluded, the ministry will formulate charges based on its outcome,” Maritz said.
The Namibian last month reported that some of the foreign nationals were kept in custody for two months without appearing in court. It is alleged that, upon arresting the immigrants, Nangolo requested money from them in exchange for their release, which did not materialise.
The ministry confirmed that the immigrants were detained without being charged. “When the ministry learned about the officer’s conduct, the ministry ordered the immediate release of the foreigners.
They were released on 17 November and given seven days’ notice to leave the country,” Maritz said. He said the ministry would like to send a stern warning to perpetrators that the law would take its course, and any wrongdoer would be dealt with accordingly.
The ACC told The Namibian last week it has observed an increase in bribery cases involving public officials. This is partly due to the slow response of the respective administrative authorities in charging suspects.
“We call on administrative authorities to immediately and appropriately attend to cases of public officials who are found guilty of serious misconduct and wrongdoing,” ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said.
She said it is high time administrative authorities and employers take stern action against such officials if found guilty if the vision of a corruption-free Namibia is to be achieved.
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