By Erasmus Shalihaxwe

Political analyst Sackaria Johannes has questioned the integrity of former national police spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi, whether he was neutral to all political parties when he was an active member of the force. Johannes posted these questions during an interview with Confidente, while reacting to the news of Kanguatjivi contesting the Otjombinde constituency in Omaheke region under the banner of Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) party. 

He said even though Kanguatjivi has retired and it is within his constitutional right to express his freedom of association, his career in the police force might make people question his integrity in the force and whether he has genuine intentions for the community he wish to serve.

‘’This can be problematic, because we are all aware that people from the force are not supposed to be part of politics. Whether they are from the police force, correctional service or members of the defence force, they should remain neutral to serve all Namibian people regardless of their political affiliation. Even though he is retired, people might still ask if he has always been in politics while he was a police officer or he only joined after retirement. One would also question his intentions and political experience… does he really want to serve the community or he just want to receive a salary,’’ said Johannes.

He added that on the other hand, Kanguativi might have realised that his community have not been getting the services they need and decided to contest to change the situation. ‘’Maybe when he went back home, he realised that his community is not getting a piece of the national cake like other communities across the country. Considering his age…he probably has seen enough and decided to take the matter by himself.’’

Kanguatjivi who retired from the police service in 2021, where he held the rank of a commissioner told Confidente that he has been in politics since high school, and since independence there has not been any tangible change in the Otjombinde constituency. Adding that Otjombinde is facing various basic challenges like gravel and bushy roads, stock theft that could have been addressed long ago, but the government and previous councillors have not done much to change the situation.

‘’Sometimes it makes me wonder if my predecessors are from this area, because if they are from here then they would have seen that our roads are too bushy and they need de-bushing. These roads are dangerous as sometimes head on collision happens here…you will not be able to see another car from a distance.  We also have stock theft, cross-border crimes, even though Otjombinde is 350 kilometres from the boarder to Botswana, people still find a way to still and flee to Botswana through undesignated entry points by cutting the fence. 

The constituency also needs to be divided into two, I want to meet the delimitation commission and give them this proposal. The area is too vast, you cannot expect someone to travel 350 kilometres to come to the councillor’s office,’’ he reiterated. He added that he has worked for the government for over 30 years in various departments at various institutions such as the office of the prime minister, the ministry of information and communication technology, national film commission before joining the police. While he also contested for the same constituency in 2004 under the banner of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) but lost.

‘’Politics is not something new to me. If I lose again, I will just be another Martin Lukato Lukato and keep going,’’ stated Kanguatjivi. Former police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga, was appointed to serve as the governor of Ohangwena region by former President Hage Geingob in 2023. Ndeitunga has publicly declared that he has been a Swapo party member since the 70s. He was replaced by Kadiva Hamutumwa this year.