Correctional service says police chief Shikongo’s daughter scored over 80% in test

The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) has denied allegations that Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo’s daughter did not meet minimum requirements to be recruited by the NCS.

Rumours about Leena Shikongo have been circulating on social media, with claims made that she was recruited in the NCS with only Grade 9 as her highest level of qualification.

This comes after the NCS invited hairdressers through its social media platforms to join the correctional service through its 200 Recruits programme.

Leena, who holds a certificate in healthcare from D’Expert Health Care Close Corporation, met the requirement after she scored 84% in a written and a practical assessment, NCS commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela says.

In the recruitment drive applicants with a diploma in hairdressing through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) or three years of experience were invited to apply.

Hamunyela says Leena demonstrated a high level of experience and knowledge in hairdressing from the results of a written test conducted on 8 May last year and a practical assessment on 14 May.

“Take note that the advert required hairdressers with a diploma as a TVET trainer, or someone with three years trackable experience. In the case of Shikongo, she demonstrated a high level of experience and knowledge in hairdressing as per the results of the written test conducted at the ministerial headquarters on 8 May 2025, and a practical assessment held at the Windhoek Female Correctional Facility, on 14 May 2025, where she scored 84% overall and therefore met the requirements to be recruited as hairdresser,” he said.

According to Hamunyela, Leena’s certificate as a healthcare giver is critical to the NCS’s operations in management of inmates with mental health conditions.

She also successfully completed a basic orientation training course of three months at Rietfontein Training Centre in the Otjozondjupa region on 11 December last year.

The commissioner said that following her training, she was appointed to the position of correctional officer I, grade 12, and stationed at Windhoek Correctional Facility.

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