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NSS corruption exposed

Business

Mohloai Mpesi

The National Security Service (NSS) has been linked to job allocation and promotion corruption.

The corrupt operation of the institution was observed when one Teboho Masimong revealed in his High Court application filed on March 16, 2021, that about 13 members of the NSS were promoted to various high positions without advertisement posts issued.

In his court papers, Masimong attached the names of; ‘Makhotso Mathiase, Moshe Lelula, Tebatso Molaoa, Mokheseng Kulehile, Sebabatso Mofolo, ‘Makhotso Mohapi, Moses Mjezu, Motlatsi Nku, Thabelo Jane, ‘Maqenehelo Chapi, Buti Molapo, Sefali Makoetje and Limpho Gugushe, which he said their promotions were not “merit-based but were done on unjust and preferential treatment and nepotism grounds while some were done contrary to dictates of the law”.

The application further served the Director General of National Security Services as first Respondent, Minister of Defence and National Security as second respondent, the Honourable Prime Minister as the third respondent and the Principal Secretary as the fourth respondent.

He said two of the promoted lots had not even once gone for a basic intelligence course after they merely spent only two years at the institution.

“Moses Mjezu, Motlatsi Nku have joined the service in 2018 and as of date they have not gone for basic intelligence course which is mandatory for one to assume senior ranks that appear under schedule one of the National Security Service, Act 1998, they were given a rank Senior Intelligence Officer,” he said.

“They are now parachuted to seventh Senior rank of Principal Senior Intelligence Officer, an eighth rank above the lowest rank with less than three years of service.

“I have more than ten years in the service but I was never given opportunity to compete that rank,” he said.

“The fifth to seventeenth respondents were promoted on arbitrary, discriminate and selective basis and contrary to law. Had promotions been open and transparent and done according to law I would have been able to submit my application but non-observance of the law by the first responded prevented me to compete and to be promoted to the upper level.

“I aver that first to fourth respondents’ conduct of promoting five to seventeenth respondents deviated from the law and best employment practice.

“I aver that the conduct aforesaid mala fide, is copricious, discriminatory and or irregular as it was not open for the benefit of class, which I am part of, that is National Security Service, and as such, I was deprived of an opportunity to be considered for promotions because vacancies were not advised for all members to apply but other members were picked whimsically without due consideration to other members,” he says in the papers.

Ramasimong decried that should the posts have been advertised, he could have scored the same position as his counterparts. Thus, believe the institution has wronged him and the entire fraternity.

“I aver that if promotions were advertised I could have been able to make application.

“I am advised by my Attorney of record and I verily believe the same advise to be true and correct that fairness in employment practices and labour relations requires the state to be even-handed and transparent.

“Not only to those whom it , but so too to those who may wish to apply for employment or promotions,” he said.

“I aver that this matter deserves urgent attention of the court as it is likely to affect day to day running of National Security Service and the dictates of fairness says that respondents need to know their positions soon as possible before they adjust their means of life style according to new ranks and salary level they have attained.

‘I aver that I have no other adequate alternative relief than approaching this Honourable Court in the manner I did. This being a review application I reserve the right to make supplementary affidavit if need be,” he said.

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