Government Dismisses Viral Claims of Foreign Truck Driver Recruitment
By TUW
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has moved to shut down circulating claims on social media suggesting that foreign truck drivers are being recruited to work in Namibia.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the Ministry described the allegations—widely shared through a WhatsApp voice message—as false and misleading. The audio recording claims that 39 truck drivers from Zimbabwe are set to be recruited, while also inviting local drivers with at least five years of experience to apply.
Authorities have firmly denied these assertions, stating that there are no current or future plans to recruit foreign truck drivers. The Ministry warned that the message appears to be deliberately crafted to create confusion and anxiety among job seekers.
Officials further stressed that Namibia’s employment policies prioritize local citizens. In line with the country’s immigration laws, foreign workers are only considered when no suitably qualified Namibian is available, particularly in cases requiring specialized or scarce skills. Positions such as truck driving, which can be filled locally, do not typically meet these criteria.
The Ministry also raised concern about the growing spread of misinformation, noting that digital platforms and increasingly, artificial intelligence tools can be used to produce and distribute false content quickly.
Members of the public have been urged to verify information before sharing it and to rely only on official communication channels for accurate updates. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and maintaining public trust through verified information.
