The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) on Friday distanced itself from a scam involving monies paid by members of the public to secure employment in the ongoing recruitment process of 200 correctional services officers.
Head of the central staff directorate, commissioner Michael Mulisa confirmed to New Era on Friday that victims who paid money have been calling NCS, demanding their placement.
“We had numerous reports but we did not take it up with the police. However, the victims might approach the police, as those strangers are not known to us. The victims first received text messages asking them how far are they with the payment. When they follow up to ask, the suspect then responds ‘no it is the wrong number, unless you are also interested in securing a placement at the NCS at cost.’ That is when the public members fell victim,” he explained.
Mulisa indicated that he does not know how many people have paid.
NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela said in a press statement Friday the recruitment process is still ongoing and the names of the shortlisted candidates will be released on or before 13 January 2023.
“We would, therefore, like to caution the public not to make any monetary payment to any person claiming to assist in securing employment in the NCS,” he said.
On 26 September 2022, NCS placed an advert looking for 200 recruits between 19 and 35 years old who possess qualifications in criminal justice, bakery, chefs, culinary, animal husbandry, crop production, fashion design industries and as truck drivers.
The NCS said preference will be given to candidates with talents/skills in brass band and sports codes of which minimum qualifications requirement and age limit will be waived in terms of paragraph 17 of the NCS Recruitment Policy 2020.
Other minimum requirements were that candidates should not have criminal records or have a pending case under Schedule 1 and be free from mental or physical defects, disease or infirmity which might interfere with the proper execution of duties. Female candidates must be willing to undergo pregnancy tests.