Interviews for nurse recruitment suspended after tribalism allegations

Nikanor NangoloWindhoekThe Hardap governor, Riaan McNab, has announced the suspension of interviews for nurse recruitment after Landless People’s Movement (LPM) MP Utaara Mootu told the National Assembly on Wednesday that the test was leaked on a WhatsApp group predominantly open to members from the northern regions.Mootu accused the health ministry of fuelling tribalism and discrimination, saying the leak gave unfair advantages to certain candidates. The test questions included the nursing process, ethical principles, stages of labour, immunisation schedules and baseline tests for antenatal care.“All the members, about 50 members, who actually went to the second phase of the interview, which is the oral phase, had this information at their disposal,” Mootu charged. “The people from the southern area, Mariental, who were excluded from the interviews, failed to proceed to the oral questions [stage].”In a recorded video posted on the information ministry’s Facebook page, McNab confirmed that the interviews would not continue until a full investigation had been carried out.Mootu further told Parliament: “All the natives have been excluded, they have failed, they have not gone through to the second process. All the other interviewees are northerners. Why are we continuing to ensure that we go against our constitutional right and perpetrate tribalism within the interview processes, Honourable Minister?”She alleged that a senior official had gone so far as to say “they will not employ Nama-speaking people because they are Damaras,” which she described as blatant tribalism. “Currently, there is a demonstration being held outside the facility, and they informed us that they will not stop,” Mootu added.Prime Minister condemns tribalismPrime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, speaking on behalf of the absent health minister, strongly condemned the allegations. “As a principle, let’s all agree that tribalism and all other isms that are counterproductive to building a nation and our own pathway of nation building, we condemn tribalism wherever it rears its head,” he said.Ngurare assured Mootu that the matter was being handled at both regional and national levels. “Take it from me, the minister also has been alerted precisely on the issues that you are saying... they are addressing it in a matter of maybe a few minutes,” he said.However, he also cautioned against blindly applying procedures. “Sometimes you must know that common sense dictates that, yes, there is this, but sometimes common sense must say this is wrong. If you follow certain things blindly, you are likely to discriminate or leave out certain people and harm or hurt certain people,” Ngurare said. “We must, in the strongest terms, condemn whenever those acts of tribalism are happening. We must condemn it wherever it is. That is how nations are built.”Broader recruitment concernsThe controversy comes amid wider concerns about flawed recruitment systems. Last month, MPs warned that tribalism, poor hiring practices and outdated agricultural laws were undermining unity, marginalising rural youth and weakening farmers’ rights.Popular Democratic Movement MP Winnie Moongo has called for an urgent shift to online or hybrid recruitment, arguing that physical job applications cause delays, risk lost documents and exclude rural youth from opportunities.Earlier this year, education minister Sanet Steenkamp also urged regional directors to ensure transparency in teacher recruitment and procurement. She warned against favouritism and tribalism in appointments.“We must be critical and transformative in our decision-making. Transparency in procurement and appointments is non-negotiable. We cannot allow unjust practices in recruitment that harm others who rightfully deserve these positions. The complaints are too many, something is wrong,” Steenkamp stressed.“Our institutions must reflect the diversity of this country. Everyone deserves an opportunity to grow, be empowered, and receive in-service training,” she added.Steenkamp was speaking at a five-day ministerial workshop in Swakopmund where regional directors validated the ministry’s 2025/26–2029/30 strategic plan and the 2025/26 annual plan.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Interviews for nurse recruitment suspended after tribalism allegations

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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Interviews for nurse recruitment suspended after tribalism allegations

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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