Candidate wants SHP police boss replaced

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A CANDIDATE contesting the Imbonggu open seat has accused security chief in Southern Highlands Assistant Commissioner of Police Jim Andrews of taking sides with sitting MP Francis Awesa.
Pila Niningi, arch-rival of Awesa, alleged that Andrews colluded with Awesa and prevented two ballot boxes from his stronghold of Piambel 1 and 2 from been counted despite a court order in place.
Andrews, however, denied this claim when contacted yesterday. 
“His (Niningi’s) comments are incorrect,” Andrews said.
“I am not supporting anybody.”
Andrews said police were there to provide security for election officials and ballot boxes and were neutral.
Niningi, whose supporters last week clashed with supporters of Awesa, said a known policeman who was a cousin of Awesa drove a vehicle and rammed the gate of a house where presiding officers from Imbonggu were living in but police did nothing.
“Andrews has not taken any action against complaints lodged by my supporters who have been assaulted and even myself,” he said.
Niningi said his base is at Piambel 1 and 2 and the 3,600 votes he received from there corresponds with the electoral list for the area.
Andrews, however, said the rolls for Piambel 1 and 2 were inflated because in 2007 there were between 1,500 and 2,000 voters in the area.
Niningi claimed that the situation was tense and called on police commissioner Tom Kulunga to replace Andrews with another officer.