Claims of nepotism in NDF

EMPLOYEES of the Osona Military Base are crying foul over the recent appointment of cleaning staff claiming nepotism was at play in their selection.

At least eight of the 19 civilians employed as cleaners in April have been linked to officers and ordinary staff stationed at the base, including the base administrator himself. It is alleged they were employed solely on the basis of their relationship to well-positioned employees within the force.At least four of the new cleaners bear the same surname as two majors, a lieutenant colonel, a staff sergeant and a warrant officer.Insiders claim the posts were never publicly advertised nor were the successful candidates screened for the jobs.One source claimed that some of those recruited were among building and maintenance staff who worked on the construction of the military museum at Okahandja and that they had completed application forms for employment as cleaners at the base.Of the relationships cited between cleaning staff and senior staff at the base are the wives of a senior administrative officer, the head of the orderly room and a chief clerk, as well as the fiancé of an army officer and her aunt.But Namibian Defence Force Legal Advisor Veikko Kavungo has dispelled allegations of unfair selection procedures and insinuations of nepotism, saying the process had been above board.According to Kavungo, staff at the Osona Military Base were never involved in the short-listing or appointment of any of the cleaning staff.He told The Namibian that the process was handled by the head office and the military base was only informed of the successful candidates.This process, he said, followed a request from the base for cleaning staff.”It could be that they are related, but it doesn’t mean that that the officer was involved,” he said.”Cleaners don’t go through rigorous interviews,” he added.Kavungo said that with nearly 20 000 people employed within the NDF, it was quite possible that one would find relations within its staff complement.It is alleged they were employed solely on the basis of their relationship to well-positioned employees within the force.At least four of the new cleaners bear the same surname as two majors, a lieutenant colonel, a staff sergeant and a warrant officer.Insiders claim the posts were never publicly advertised nor were the successful candidates screened for the jobs.One source claimed that some of those recruited were among building and maintenance staff who worked on the construction of the military museum at Okahandja and that they had completed application forms for employment as cleaners at the base.Of the relationships cited between cleaning staff and senior staff at the base are the wives of a senior administrative officer, the head of the orderly room and a chief clerk, as well as the fiancé of an army officer and her aunt.But Namibian Defence Force Legal Advisor Veikko Kavungo has dispelled allegations of unfair selection procedures and insinuations of nepotism, saying the process had been above board.According to Kavungo, staff at the Osona Military Base were never involved in the short-listing or appointment of any of the cleaning staff.He told The Namibian that the process was handled by the head office and the military base was only informed of the successful candidates.This process, he said, followed a request from the base for cleaning staff.”It could be that they are related, but it doesn’t mean that that the officer was involved,” he said.”Cleaners don’t go through rigorous interviews,” he added.Kavungo said that with nearly 20 000 people employed within the NDF, it was quite possible that one would find relations within its staff complement.