NCS denies favouritism
Jemimah NdebeleWINDHOEK
The Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) has denied accusations that it was biased in favour of soccer players during a recent appointment process that attracted thousands of applications.
A number of unsuccessful candidates subsequently accused the NCS of allegedly giving preferential treatment to soccer players over other applicants.
“We were only two who came out of the physical fitness test, and when we went to the written and oral interview, we were suddenly four candidates, not knowing where the other two came from,” Kavita Joseph, an unsuccessful applicant from the Hardap Region, claimed recently.
“The four of us went for written and interviews and at the end we were told that all four of us had passed, but now two of our names are not on the list. We are confused and want to know what happened.”
Accusations dismissed
Both Joseph and another unsuccessful job applicant from the Hardap Region, Mukubasa Linus, were outraged and believe that the selection process should be based on merit and not on sporting ability, as they believe was the case.
The NCS has denied the allegations, stating that all appointments were made based on merit.
Advantage given
The NCS explained that the two applicants the complainants claim appeared out of nowhere did complete the physical fitness test.
“Mbeurora Kutaa and Justina Shityeni completed the 2.4 km in a time of 8.46 minutes and 10.19 minutes, respectively, while the complainant (Joseph) completed in a time of 8.59 minutes, and they all qualified for the written test in the 26 years and above age group,” NCS spokesperson, commissioner Michael Mulisa, said in response to questions.
“However, only Kutaa was called for the basic training course after passing the tests.”
Mulisa did, however, admit that Kutaa “has an added advantage since he is playing for the NCS football team.”
The NCS said this was after over 15 000 applicants were shortlisted for 200 positions at the state-owned organisation.
This is not the first time that allegations of favouritism have been made against the prison services.
The Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) has denied accusations that it was biased in favour of soccer players during a recent appointment process that attracted thousands of applications.
A number of unsuccessful candidates subsequently accused the NCS of allegedly giving preferential treatment to soccer players over other applicants.
“We were only two who came out of the physical fitness test, and when we went to the written and oral interview, we were suddenly four candidates, not knowing where the other two came from,” Kavita Joseph, an unsuccessful applicant from the Hardap Region, claimed recently.
“The four of us went for written and interviews and at the end we were told that all four of us had passed, but now two of our names are not on the list. We are confused and want to know what happened.”
Accusations dismissed
Both Joseph and another unsuccessful job applicant from the Hardap Region, Mukubasa Linus, were outraged and believe that the selection process should be based on merit and not on sporting ability, as they believe was the case.
The NCS has denied the allegations, stating that all appointments were made based on merit.
Advantage given
The NCS explained that the two applicants the complainants claim appeared out of nowhere did complete the physical fitness test.
“Mbeurora Kutaa and Justina Shityeni completed the 2.4 km in a time of 8.46 minutes and 10.19 minutes, respectively, while the complainant (Joseph) completed in a time of 8.59 minutes, and they all qualified for the written test in the 26 years and above age group,” NCS spokesperson, commissioner Michael Mulisa, said in response to questions.
“However, only Kutaa was called for the basic training course after passing the tests.”
Mulisa did, however, admit that Kutaa “has an added advantage since he is playing for the NCS football team.”
The NCS said this was after over 15 000 applicants were shortlisted for 200 positions at the state-owned organisation.
This is not the first time that allegations of favouritism have been made against the prison services.
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