Renthia Kaimbi
The Namibian Correctional Service (NSC) has defended the recruitment of Leefa Shikongo, the daughter of Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo.
This comes in response to claims on social media that her hiring process was flawed.
In a statement issued yesterday by NSC commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela, the NCS said allegations that Shikongo was recruited without the required qualifications, including claims that her highest grade was Grade 9, were “misleading”.
Questions about whether she met the minimum requirements for her post sparked an online debate.
The NCS said Leefa was recruited for a specific advertised position as a hairdresser under a special recruitment drive announced in October 2024.
The advert required applicants to hold a diploma as a TVET trainer or have at least three years of traceable experience.
According to him, Leefa met the criteria and demonstrated her competence through assessments.
Hamunyela said Leefa completed a written test at the Ministerial Headquarters on 8 May 2025 and a practical assessment at the Windhoek Female Correctional Facility on 14 May 2025, where she scored an overall 84%.
He said this confirmed that she met the requirements for recruitment as a hairdresser based on experience.
The NCS also said Leefa holds a certificate in healthcare giver from D’Expert Health Care Close Corporation, which it described as “critical to the NCS’s operations”, especially in managing inmates with mental health conditions.
After her recruitment, Hamunyela said Leefa completed a three-month Basic Orientation Training course at the Rietfontein Training Centre in December 2025.
She was then appointed as a Correctional Officer I, Grade 12 and stationed at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.
Unionist Mahongora Kavihuha said children of senior officials have the same right as any Namibian to apply for and be appointed to public service jobs, adding that public mistrust in recruitment systems fuels such debates.
“If the public had trust in the Public Services Commission, such issues would not be raised, at whatever level. By the way, a child of any person in Namibia has equal rights to apply and be recruited anywhere,” Kavihuha said.
Labour expert Herbert Jauch said appointment decisions should be based on merit.
“In case that other applicants had higher qualifications or scored better in the tests but were not appointed, then it could be a case of favouritism,” Jauch said.
