Candidates query Nape’s escort team

By JUNIOR UKAHA
FOUR National Capital District-based policemen have been accused of escorting Jeffery Nape to his Sinasina-Yongomulg electorate for his campaign.
Candidate Mili Rex Kiage, who is also contesting the seat, yesterday questioned whether the policemen involved had been cleared by their superiors to escort Nape.
The policemen and Nape flew into Goroka, Eastern Highlands province, last Sunday before heading for Chimbu.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Peter Guinness yesterday said the presence of the four policemen in Chimbu’s Sinasina-Yongomulg electorate on escort duties was “news” to him.
“I must make it clear that I did not authorise any escort trips for the speaker (Nape) to Chimbu,” he said.
“If the reports are true, those officers involved will be detained and disciplined.”
Guinness said he would ask the provincial police commanders for Chimbu and Eastern Highlands to have the policemen detained and questioned.
A spokesman for another candidate, Peter Iggy, called on Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga to explain to the people of Sinasina-Yongomulg what those policemen were doing in the electorate.
“The four policemen (all from the province) should be investigated,” Iggy said.
“The soldiers and genuine policemen deployed for election operations should check these rogue officers and see whether they have police-issued firearms and uniforms and charge them.”