Bus and taxi operators defy Nabta

BUS and taxi operators in the North have defied a decision by the national leadership of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) to suspend its National Secretary.

Nabta President Magnus Nangombe suspended National Secretary Vesper Muunda in October last year, along with three other leaders of the association. He said the four were not performing their duties, were not active Nabta members and thus did not qualify to serve on Nabta structures.At a meeting held at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region on September 15, bus and taxi operators in the four northern regions re-nominated and reconfirmed Muunda as the leader of Nabta in the North.The meeting instructed Muunda to arrange a meeting with Transport Minister Joel Kaapanda to discuss the grievances of bus and taxi operators in the North.The September 15 meeting further resolved that a Task Force Committee be established, consisting of representatives of Regional and Local Councils, the Police and Nabta regional officials, to control and co-ordinate the activities of buses and taxis in the northern regions.On October 9 last year, Nabta President Magnus Nangombe dismissed the Nabta Chairman of Oshana Region, Pendapala Nakathingo.He also suspended Muunda, Deputy National Treasurer Immanuel Ankambo and National Deputy Secretary Elvis Kauesa and ordered them not to involve themselves in any Nabta activities.The four have taken Nangombe to court over this action.They claim that the dismissal and suspensions were not done according to Nabta rules and regulations.When approached for comment on the latest development, Nangombe said Muunda and his colleagues were not legitimate Nabta leaders any more and that any meetings they convened were their own personal gatherings and not official Nabta meetings.”Those who attend those meetings must know that those meetings have nothing to do with Nabta.It’s not a Nabta meeting, it’s their own meeting,” Nangombe emphasised.He said the northern regions have legitimate Nabta representatives – executive members Helen Shiimbi and Leonard Amwele.”I think Muunda and his friends can go and establish their own association, rather than using the legitimate Nabta,” Nangombe said.He said the four were not performing their duties, were not active Nabta members and thus did not qualify to serve on Nabta structures.At a meeting held at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region on September 15, bus and taxi operators in the four northern regions re-nominated and reconfirmed Muunda as the leader of Nabta in the North.The meeting instructed Muunda to arrange a meeting with Transport Minister Joel Kaapanda to discuss the grievances of bus and taxi operators in the North.The September 15 meeting further resolved that a Task Force Committee be established, consisting of representatives of Regional and Local Councils, the Police and Nabta regional officials, to control and co-ordinate the activities of buses and taxis in the northern regions.On October 9 last year, Nabta President Magnus Nangombe dismissed the Nabta Chairman of Oshana Region, Pendapala Nakathingo.He also suspended Muunda, Deputy National Treasurer Immanuel Ankambo and National Deputy Secretary Elvis Kauesa and ordered them not to involve themselves in any Nabta activities.The four have taken Nangombe to court over this action.They claim that the dismissal and suspensions were not done according to Nabta rules and regulations.When approached for comment on the latest development, Nangombe said Muunda and his colleagues were not legitimate Nabta leaders any more and that any meetings they convened were their own personal gatherings and not official Nabta meetings.”Those who attend those meetings must know that those meetings have nothing to do with Nabta.It’s not a Nabta meeting, it’s their own meeting,” Nangombe emphasised.He said the northern regions have legitimate Nabta representatives – executive members Helen Shiimbi and Leonard Amwele.”I think Muunda and his friends can go and establish their own association, rather than using the legitimate Nabta,” Nangombe said.