Police jobs: Govt to recruit 80% regional natives
Following uproar over perceived mass exclusion of the numerically dominant tribes of the //Karas Region from the ongoing recruitment of police cadet officers, government has moved to ensure that all future recruitments comprise 80% of the region’s indigenous communities.
The outcome of the recruitment process so far shows that the majority of the 183 shortlisted candidates have Oshiwambo-related surnames.
For example, from the first 20 names on the list, 13 are of Oshiwambo origin and only two – a Josob and a Kaffer – relate to the Nama ethnic group, which makes up the majority of the region.
While it is generally accepted that a Nama could be fathered by a Wambo and thus have the latter’s surname, the list has still evoked suspicion of tribal bias – leading to a heated debate among Swapo central committee members recently.
Last week in parliament, home affairs minister Albert Kawana said a decision has been made to ensure all future recruitments are reserved for 80% of each region’s natives, while the remaining 20% will be shared among inhabitants of that region who are from other tribes.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, he said the decision was taken in consideration of concerns raised by members of the public.
“We implement decisions based on the concerns of community members. The so-called indigenous people of a certain area cannot be excluded,” he said.
“However, the Namibian Constitution will have to be taken into account. We don't want the European system of fighting in the bush and apartheid to repeat itself. The 80-20 law will be how we will deal with this.”
‘Anti-others’
“As a police force, we want national flagships, unity, harmony and cooperation with the communities served. I can assure members, we are determined to create a Namibian House where nobody should feel left out, for the sake of peace and harmony and stability,” Kawana said.
Several other parliamentarians shared his sentiments, including Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani, who urged the Namibian government not to be "anti-others", adding that the situation is "embarrassing".
"Let's not be anti-others. I want to say to the government that we must find each other in this one. Let's implement a policy. Even if it's a quarter system, it would be fair. We are embarrassing ourselves," he said.
One of the Swapo leaders vocal on the //Karas police recruitment is former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, who called for the "rectification" of the process.
"Me being a Swapo leader should not silence me for political correctness. That process must be rectified. I am unapologetic about that," the Swapo central committee and politburo member said.
She added that these are prime examples of what led to Swapo losing the southern regions in the 2020 local authority elections.
"It is these exact types of things why Swapo lost the south because many people here started feeling discriminated against," Hanse-Himarwa fumed.
The outcome of the recruitment process so far shows that the majority of the 183 shortlisted candidates have Oshiwambo-related surnames.
For example, from the first 20 names on the list, 13 are of Oshiwambo origin and only two – a Josob and a Kaffer – relate to the Nama ethnic group, which makes up the majority of the region.
While it is generally accepted that a Nama could be fathered by a Wambo and thus have the latter’s surname, the list has still evoked suspicion of tribal bias – leading to a heated debate among Swapo central committee members recently.
Last week in parliament, home affairs minister Albert Kawana said a decision has been made to ensure all future recruitments are reserved for 80% of each region’s natives, while the remaining 20% will be shared among inhabitants of that region who are from other tribes.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, he said the decision was taken in consideration of concerns raised by members of the public.
“We implement decisions based on the concerns of community members. The so-called indigenous people of a certain area cannot be excluded,” he said.
“However, the Namibian Constitution will have to be taken into account. We don't want the European system of fighting in the bush and apartheid to repeat itself. The 80-20 law will be how we will deal with this.”
‘Anti-others’
“As a police force, we want national flagships, unity, harmony and cooperation with the communities served. I can assure members, we are determined to create a Namibian House where nobody should feel left out, for the sake of peace and harmony and stability,” Kawana said.
Several other parliamentarians shared his sentiments, including Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani, who urged the Namibian government not to be "anti-others", adding that the situation is "embarrassing".
"Let's not be anti-others. I want to say to the government that we must find each other in this one. Let's implement a policy. Even if it's a quarter system, it would be fair. We are embarrassing ourselves," he said.
One of the Swapo leaders vocal on the //Karas police recruitment is former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, who called for the "rectification" of the process.
"Me being a Swapo leader should not silence me for political correctness. That process must be rectified. I am unapologetic about that," the Swapo central committee and politburo member said.
She added that these are prime examples of what led to Swapo losing the southern regions in the 2020 local authority elections.
"It is these exact types of things why Swapo lost the south because many people here started feeling discriminated against," Hanse-Himarwa fumed.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article