Tourism ministry headhunts former top cop

By Hileni Nembwaya

THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism has headhunted former Oshana police chief, Ndahang­wapo Kashihakumwa to head its newly established anti-poaching unit, Confi­dente has learnt.

Before retiring in 2015, Kashihakum­wa was at the helm of Oshana region as the police regional commander for about eight years. He also served as the commander of anti-poaching operation at Etosha National Park.

Although Kashihakumwa did not want to divulge more information on the matter he however confirmed this week to Confidente that he had been ap­proached by officials from the environ­ment ministry which is currently bat­tling poaching of the country’s wildlife from poachers that are mostly hired by foreign nationals to hunt down mainly elephants and rhinos.

“I was approached by the ministry late last year but that does not mean I am hired for the position. I am still working for Shilimela security as an advisor,” he said.

When asked if he is ready to serve the ministry, Kashihakumwa confidently said that he will never turn down lawful orders from his superiors and he is ready to accept any challenge bestowed upon him.

Kashihakumwa’s boss, Banda Shilime­la of Shilimela Security also substantiated the alleged head-hunting of the former police commissioner.

“He (Kashihakumwa) is still work­ing for Shilimela security services but he once told me that the environment ministry had approached him to head its anti-poaching unit. We have no problem with him intending to tackle the position as we believe he is the right candidate to pursue that position,” said Shilimela.

Shilimela further added that he highly recommends Kashihakumwa to head the anti-poaching unit because of his vast experience on security issues.

The ministry of Tourism’s spokesper­son, Romeo Muyunda could neither deny nor confirm Kashihakumwa’s headhunting when contacted for com­ment Tuesday.

“ I am not aware of Kashihakumwa’s headhunting,” he said.

Muyunda also said that the ministry was recruiting regional heads of its anti-poaching units in each region and the recruitment process had been already completed.

The new head of anti-poaching unit is expected to control poaching efforts in all national parks and about 500 people are expected to be deployed throughout the country.