ACC Arrests Police Officer, Inmate Over Alleged Bribery at Ondangwa Station
By TUW
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reaffirmed its stance against corruption within public institutions following the arrest of a serving police officer and an inmate linked to an alleged bribery scheme at the Ondangwa police station.
According to the ACC, the suspects appeared before the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on 23 January, where they were each granted bail of N$2 000. The case was postponed to 10 June 2026 for the fixing of a trial date.
The accused have been identified as Sgt Victory Hafeni Vateleni (37), a police officer stationed at Ondangwa, and Fillemon “Kasita” Kadhikwa (36), who was at the time being held in police custody. Both were arrested on 22 January following investigations into alleged corrupt activities at the station.
ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu said the matter stems from events dating back to 30 January 2023, when Kadhikwa was being detained at the Ondangwa police holding cells. It is alleged that during this period, Kadhikwa offered a bribe of N$2 000 to a detective warrant officer in an attempt to avoid being charged in a fraud case that was under investigation.
Matundu explained that the money was allegedly handed over by Kadhikwa’s brother to Sgt Vateleni on the same day. Vateleni is accused of delivering the cash directly to the inmate at the holding cells without officially recording the transaction in the police register, as required by procedure.
Further investigations revealed that Vateleni allegedly misled investigators by providing false information. He reportedly claimed that the money had been given to another police officer on duty and denied having communicated with Kadhikwa via mobile phone while the inmate was in custody.
As a result, Kadhikwa has been charged under section 34(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act for corruptly giving gratification, alternatively under section 38(b) for bribing a public officer. Vateleni, meanwhile, faces a charge under section 29(1)(d) of the same Act for providing false information to an authorised officer.
Matundu said the commission remains resolute in its mandate to combat corruption and promote accountability within state institutions.
“Corruption undermines good governance and service delivery. The Commission remains steadfast in investigating corrupt practices and ensuring that those implicated are held accountable under the law,” she said.
