MINISTER of Defence Erkki Nghimtina last week moved swiftly to dismiss claims that “sick and disabled” NDF members were deployed as goat and cattle herdsmen at the Otavi Military Base.
He was responding to queries by DTA MP Philemon Moongo in the National Assembly on Thursday. Nghimtina told the House that animals belonging to the NDF were enclosed within a camp and there was no need to employ a herdsman.”A person should ensure that the animals have water at the water point in the camp and this can be entrusted to any soldier,” said the Minister.The Minister also dismissed claims that sick soldiers were made to work, saying it would be inhuman and have dire consequences for their health.Moongo had suggested that “sick and disabled” soldiers rather be given tasks like cleaning the camp, mending uniforms or “keeping watch at the gates”, much to the amusement of several MPs.But it was no laughing matter for Moongo who wanted to know when these soldiers would be promoted and receive salary increases as an incentive to perform better.The Minister said no disabled soldiers were stationed at Otavi.However, he added, elsewhere such soldiers performed tasks compatible with their abilities and were not deprived from promotions nor salary increases.Moongo was not totally satisfied with the Ministers answers and persisted in wanting to know more about animals kept by the NDF, but he was ruled out of order by the Speaker of the House.Nghimtina told the House that animals belonging to the NDF were enclosed within a camp and there was no need to employ a herdsman.”A person should ensure that the animals have water at the water point in the camp and this can be entrusted to any soldier,” said the Minister.The Minister also dismissed claims that sick soldiers were made to work, saying it would be inhuman and have dire consequences for their health.Moongo had suggested that “sick and disabled” soldiers rather be given tasks like cleaning the camp, mending uniforms or “keeping watch at the gates”, much to the amusement of several MPs.But it was no laughing matter for Moongo who wanted to know when these soldiers would be promoted and receive salary increases as an incentive to perform better.The Minister said no disabled soldiers were stationed at Otavi.However, he added, elsewhere such soldiers performed tasks compatible with their abilities and were not deprived from promotions nor salary increases.Moongo was not totally satisfied with the Ministers answers and persisted in wanting to know more about animals kept by the NDF, but he was ruled out of order by the Speaker of the House.
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