Three die during NDF training period

…new cadets told not to hide medical conditions

Namibian Defence Force (NDF) cadets have been warned not to hide underlying medical conditions when they apply to join the army.

NDF spokesperson lieutenant colonel Petrus Shilumbu said this yesterday in response to three NDF cadets recently dying during their training period.

“This doesn’t mean they died because of their training, but they died while in training.

“Sometimes the recruits can come to training with certain conditions which they may have hidden and maybe it was not picked up during the medical check-up, because people are eager to be employed,” he said.

About 1 387 recruits out of 1 434 recruits who started their basic training in December 2023 recently graduated at Okahandja.

This was after an initial screening led to 40 cadets being disqualified either voluntarily or during the final screening conducted by the NDF Training Establishment (NDF TE).

Shilumbu said medical conditions often surface during training.

“The body will eventually start reacting to anything it is exposed to and this could cause death.

“Like those who have lost their lives. We don’t know what conditions they were having, but I’m just telling you they died during training, but it’s not to say the training caused their deaths.

“Before these candidates were recruits, their bodies were reluctant,” he said.

Shilumbu said recruits are often unfit.

“They don’t run, they don’t walk long distances, but now you get exposed and your body will start reacting,” he said.

Shilumbu said the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs advertises that NDF applicants should be medically fit.

“One should not overlook that or undermine it, because you don’t know the situation you’re going to find on the ground.

“That is now at the NDF Training Establishment. And we don’t know that these candidates have conditions,” he said.

Shilumbu said doctors in the regions are trying their best to ensure only medically fit candidates undergo military training.

Defence minister Frans Kapofi at the 17th recruit intake graduation ceremony on Wednesday expressed his appreciation of candidates’ parents for allowing them to pursue a career in the military, despite stereotypes about the profession.

“The fact that you rose above those negative insinuations is a sign that you understand the need and importance of a national defence force in our country,” he said.

Kapofi said it was “unfortunate and regrettable” that three recruits died during the course of their training.

He said the ministry is working hard to rejuvenate the NDF with young, energetic, healthy and informed young people.

“We are working hard to realise the vision of having a small, well-trained and well-equipped professional force which excels in the fulfilment of its mandate.

“This radical transformation is aimed at conditioning the men and women in the military to be able to think differently and deal with emerging threats with vigour and determination.

“This is why we take seriously the compliance of prospective soldiers to the set recruitment requirements,” he said.

Kapofi said educated soldiers are more important than ever.