Recruitment rip-off at NDF

DESPERATION to be recruited by the Namibian Defence Force has led to four civilians being defrauded of at least N$4 000.

The Namibian has learned that a non-commissioned officer stationed at the Osona Military Base allegedly promised to ensure that the group would be enlisted in the army for a price of N$1 000 each. When the bribe failed, the four approached the non-commissioned officer demanding their money back – but to date they have been unsuccessful.Having acted illegally themselves, the four have no legal recourse against the officer.Asked whether the NDF would be taking action against the officer, NDF legal advisor Colonel Veikko Kavungo told The Namibian that his office was not aware of any such incident.The accused officer was said to be on leave.Kavungo has said that the NDF have in the past handled similar cases in which officers had pocketed money in exchange for the employment of civilians within the army.Last year an officer was discharged from the force for his role in a similar incident.Another case involving two female officers had to be separated and is still pending.Kavungo said the accused officers charged civilians between N$500 and N$1000 each to have them enlisted.When the bribe failed, the four approached the non-commissioned officer demanding their money back – but to date they have been unsuccessful.Having acted illegally themselves, the four have no legal recourse against the officer.Asked whether the NDF would be taking action against the officer, NDF legal advisor Colonel Veikko Kavungo told The Namibian that his office was not aware of any such incident.The accused officer was said to be on leave.Kavungo has said that the NDF have in the past handled similar cases in which officers had pocketed money in exchange for the employment of civilians within the army.Last year an officer was discharged from the force for his role in a similar incident.Another case involving two female officers had to be separated and is still pending.Kavungo said the accused officers charged civilians between N$500 and N$1000 each to have them enlisted.