Stefanus Nashama
The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it contacted some candidates as an alternative to replace those who did not make it to the training for various reasons.
Namibian Correctional Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Salmi Hangula said candidates who were contacted to join the training at the later stage are those that were part of the waiting list.
She said this in response to allegations that the last NCS recruitment process that took place in January was not fair and equitable.
“They were called to replace candidates who were selected but did not report for training, those who withdrew from the training for various reasons and those who failed the vetting process,” she reiterated.
Festus Nakale who was part of the physical fitness said he came second in eight minutes, leaving 72 people behind him but he was never contacted or shortlisted for a written test.
Tangeni Amulungu said although the latest recruitment drive needed a smaller number of new recruits, he felt the process was not fair since he was also not shortlisted for the next step after running within the required eight minutes for male candidates.
A complaint who asked to remain anonymous said she knows of a lady who was contacted to join the training about a month after the commencement of the training but that lady never attended a written test or oral interview.
Hangula explained that the training also includes professionals that were already employed by the NCS but were not trained, like social workers, nurses and faith-based workers.
She further stressed that there was a group appointed during the same time with identified special skills that are lacking in the NCS, like artisans, psychological counsellors and social workers.
“All candidates who obtained 78 percent and above from the physical fitness assessment in the race of 2.4 kilometres were allowed to proceed to a written test, and all candidates who received 50 percent from the written test were allowed to proceed to an oral interview,” she said.
Hangula said the NCS is not aware of candidates who met the above-mentioned passing marks but were not shortlisted for the next step.
“The recruitment process was done in terms of the Namibian Correctional Service Policy and the recruitment process was fair and equitable. The principles of fairness were applied to give an equal opportunity to all the applicants who meet the minimum requirements to compete for the position by undergoing assessment tests, consisting of physical fitness, written test and oral interview,” she said.
Only 370 new recruits were needed from the last training. Over 30 000 people applied for 370 opportunities, and only about 15 000 applicants were shortlisted for the physical fitness assessment.
The NCS is again expected to recruit this year if not next year. This comes after the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi tabled the 2023/24 budget in Parliament earlier in February.
