WINDHOEK – An entity under the National Youth Service (NYS), christened Youth Security Service PTY, has been unable to pay its more than 300 security guards due to millions of dollars allegedly owed to it by the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
The youth ministry owes the Youth Security Service over N$8 million, dating back to 2015. A total of 320 guards of Youth Security Services are used to protect the youth and sport ministry’s properties.
According to the NYS spokesperson Johanna Kambala, the last time they received payment from the ministry for services rendered was May this year.
This information came to the fore after guards went for 10 without receiving their salaries after normal payday.
An angry guard who preferred anonymity told New Era last week that they were tired of waiting for their salaries and many were struggling to feed their families as a result.
“We have been patiently waiting for our salaries but we haven’t got any feedback from NYS management,” said the guard. Also, he said they are still waiting for the implementation of the N$10 added to their hourly rates since 2014.
Last week, guards gathered at NYS to demand payment of their salaries. NYS Commissioner Onesmus Upindi met the guards and clarified the situation facing the institution.
Kambala said they have been rescuing the Youth Service Security by taking funds from NYS to pay the guards while waiting for the ministry to pay them, but stopped the practice as there were no longer funds.
Kambala told New Era: “Up to now the guards are not paid. We can’t pay them because we don’t have money to pay them, the ministry is owing us money.”
Kambala further said the only guards who were paid are those stationed at other clients’ premises.
“Those customers have paid and we have paid the guards, it will be unfair not to pay everyone while customers have paid on their side,” she stated.
Youth and sports minister Erastus Uutoni, when approached for comment last week Friday, pleaded with NYS to wait until today when progress in payment is expected.