Nurses ask ACC to look into health centre hire

Nine applicants for enrolled nurse positions at Tondoro Health Centre in the Kavango West Region have asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate an alleged recruitment irregularity.

Three positions were advertised at the health centre in January, with interviews conducted in February. The applicants claim that two candidates were appointed, while they were informed that the third position had been cancelled.

They allege, however, that the supposedly cancelled position was later filled by a candidate who did not attend the interviews on 23 February.

In a formal complaint to the ACC, seen by Namibian Sun, the applicants said the circumstances raised concerns about transparency, fairness and compliance with public-service recruitment procedures. They asked the commission to investigate and take appropriate action if any irregularities are established.

The applicants also raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest, alleging that the person appointed to the third position is related to a senior employee at the health centre. The allegation has not been independently verified.

One of the jobseekers, who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity, said about 18 applicants sat the written test before six were called for oral interviews.

She said she was among those interviewed and was the last candidate waiting to enter the interview when she noticed the person whom applicants allege was later appointed.

According to the applicant, the person allegedly did not participate in the interview process.

She said two candidates were successful, while applicants understood that the remaining post had been cancelled. She later returned to the health centre and “was surprised to go there and find the same lady who was not in the interview in uniform”.

The applicant said her concern was not simply that she had been unsuccessful, but whether all applicants had been subjected to the same recruitment process.

“If I failed, I can understand,” she said. “But how come I, who was present, failed, but the person who did not even attend the interview passed the interview?”

She said she feared victimisation if she spoke openly about the matter but believed the allegations should be investigated.

Meanwhile, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Nkurenkuru district chairperson Modestus Kupembona said the allegations raised serious questions.

“These are serious allegations of possible nepotism and abuse of administrative authority,” he said.

He called on the health ministry to investigate the claims and make the findings public, while urging the ACC to expedite its investigation.

When contacted for comment, the senior employee at the health centre said they could not comment without prior authorisation from their superiors.