Chaos caused by excitement — police chief

Chaos erupted on Wednesday at the Windhoek West special polling station when voters became increasingly impatient and disruptive, leading to tear gas being released into the crowd to calm them down.

Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo on Wednesday evening said excitement was the cause of the chaos.

He denied that this displayed indiscipline of the security cluster.

“It was maybe just excitement from the members of the security cluster but we have discipline,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson Elsie Nghikembua expressed concern over the indiscipline of the officers.

The security cluster along with seafarers voted on Wednesday.

Namibian Defence Force chief Martin Pinehas on Wednesday evening said they needed to maintain order among members of the security cluster, therefore tear gas was used.

“It does not matter who the tear gas is used on, as long as there is chaos, some force will be used,” he said.

A military ambulance was on site to help officers who were affected by the incident.

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