More NDF promotion 'cooking' exposed

Swirling allegations of illegal promotions in the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) have deepened, with sources revealing that a cook was promoted to staff sergeant, and ended up as a mechanic in the staff structure.This comes hot on the heels of Namibian Sun reporting last week that more deserving members are being overlooked in favour of the relatives, children, friends and lovers of NDF bigwigs. Since the publication of these revelations, more soldiers have come forward, claiming this is just the tip of the iceberg.They said a cook from the 26th Motor Infantry Brigade Company at Grootfontein, with serial number 1 565 on the promotion list, was promoted to staff sergeant on 1 March and is currently serving as mechanic.“This was pure corruption. This member was a cook posted in the kitchen and now he is a mechanic. The legitimate mechanic's name was removed from the list and replaced with a cook,” one source said.“As members of the defence force, we are now tired of observing helplessly as this scourge of high corruption continues. We want this rampant promotional corruption to be investigated and drastic action to be taken against the culprits.”It was reported last week that the NDF promotion policy is being ignored, with some senior commanders being unwilling to constitute promotion committees or boards in their formations and units. This has allegedly created massive loopholes for promotions based on fraud, forgery and uttering.In terms of the promotion policy, staff officers can submit the names of deserving, hardworking and capable members for promotion, but these lists are allegedly being manipulated and the names of deserving soldiers replaced with those of relatives, children, friends and lovers of senior members. Only after the lists are revealed, it then emerges that none of the soldiers who were nominated were in fact promoted.This has reportedly resulted in the NDF paying hordes of soldiers holding the same position in the staff structure, which was only supposed to accommodate one person.“These people promoting members are robbing the government. The ministry is paying many people who are doing nothing at all. There are so many ghost posts created through false postings. “This is painful and it must be investigated. We are demanding for these unfair promotions to be reversed with immediate effect and for criminal charges to be instituted,” a source said.Another source questioned why only female members were being appointed as company quartermaster sergeants.“Is this not the highest degree of corruption? We are not young in the force, thus we can no more stand watching this daylight corruption. The criteria used for promotions are based on tribal lines, friendship, favouritism, nepotism and sexual favours,” sources claimed further.“Sometimes we are being told about critical posts that only exist at some army bases. Are those officers at war or why are their posts critical?”Defence ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu urged all the complainants to channel their concerns through the chain of command, to the relevant authorities. He said there are also other relevant bodies, such as the defence inspectorate and military police, which can investigate these allegations and keep management informed, in order for them to take informed decisions. ILENI NANDJATO

More NDF promotion 'cooking' exposed

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-13

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More NDF promotion 'cooking' exposed

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-13

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