Former Police reservists told to get real

THE Minister of Safety and Security, Nickey Iyambo, has told dismissed Police reservists who have demanded compensation from the Ministry not to expect much.

Iyambo yesterday addressed a group of about 50 former Police reservists, representing close to 200 others. The group, most of whom joined the reserve force in 1991 and were dismissed in 2004 and 2008 respectively, presented a petition to the Minister stating that their dismissal had been unfair, and demanding compensation of hundreds of thousands of dollars.’We strongly feel that our human rights have been violated because not only did we not receive compensation, but we have not received any certificate for the training we attended,’ the petition read.The members of the group said they were given no reasons for their dismissal, with a member of the 2004 group stating that they had simply been dismissed for gathering to talk about their concerns and problems as reservists.They say that upon their recruitment in 1991, they were promised permanent employment after a period of six months, but that this never came to fruition. They questioned why the recruitment process for Police officers did not consider them.The petition further demanded that the Ministry ‘either give us the employment due to us in the Namibian Police Force, or compensate us for the 18 years that we have worked for the Government without any payment (in) the amount of N$300 000 per person.’But Iyambo wouldn’t have any of this, and told the former reservists that their work was voluntary, and therefore not eligible for any compensation.’I have no basis to pay you this money, even if I had the money. Service as a Police reservist is voluntary. I have nothing else to say on that matter,’ he told them categorically.He also told the group that many of them were unjustified in making calls for compensation when they had been discharged from the Police service.’Ask yourselves whether what you are asking me to is justified,’ he said, adding that he was obliged to work within the confines of the law.The group members said they felt that they had been ‘thrown away’ by the Police, that their contributions to the country had been overlooked and that the rejection of their petition was ‘hurtful’.Iyambo told the group that the only way he could assist them would be by ensuring that they received their certificates of service as reservists. He added that if the group wanted to become permanent members of the Police force, they would have to follow normal recruitment procedures.He also added that in seeking jobs, the group would have to register with the Ministry of Labour for possible recruitment in other areas where labour would be needed, but cautioned them not to expect employment simply on the basis of being former reservists.’That’s all I can say. I wish I could say or offer more, but I can’t. Jobs in the Namibian Police force are not reserved for reservists, but for all Namibians.’