Papua New Guinea’s Correctional Services was on high alert Monday following an alleged mutiny attempt over the weekend by renegade CS officers, together with more than 20 police officers.
The group numbering almost 60 men, stormed the Correctional Service (CS) headquarters at Waigani on Saturday evening between 6pm and 7pm, demanding the keys to the gates and office with the intent to change the locks. It is believed that their actions were triggered by the lapse of the Acting Commissioner Bernard Nepo last Friday.
Nepo was appointed by the National Executive Council (NEC)for a period of three months taking over from Stephen Pokanis.
The group allegedly claimed that the senior official with them was appointed as the new CS Commissioner.
The Post-Courier confirmed with the office of CS Minister Joe Kuli that no new appointments have been made by the NEC as yet.
A disappointed acting Commissioner Nepo said that the officers involved, have all been identified and will be dealt with accordingly.
The police vehicles involved were also reported to the police hierarchy for investigation.
“These desperate people have no regard for the rule of law and even respect the due process in appointments. Where did they get their appointments and who appointed them?
“They are only trying to cause instability and disharmony for the hard work that was put in the last three months to bring back discipline which was eroded many years back. These are renegades and will be dealt with severely under our discipline code of conducts,” he said.
According to a statement released by Nepo, the group had stormed CS headquarters gates demanding access on the basis that NEC had appointed a new commissioner.
However, they were not able to produce the appointment instrument when asked.
Attempts to overthrow hierarchy have occurred at the Correctional Services on at least two occasions.
First Assistant Secretary to CS Minister Gerard Amdi said: “From information available to me, there has been no new appointments yet by NEC.” Nepo, who has served more than 40 years in CS, was appointed in 2016 as acting commissioner as well. He also served as the CS College Commandant. He holds post graduate qualifications and is now the acting CS Commissioner.