A WINDHOEK security guard says he has been left disheartened after being demoted to a car washer because he cannot speak Afrikaans.
Fortune Muzimisa (21), who worked for Rubicon Security Services, says he conducted a body search on four men at Pick n Pay at Wernhil Park shopping centre in Windhoek two weeks ago.
“The third man was very defensive and he communicated to me in Afrikaans. I said I don't understand what he was saying,” he says.
Muzimisa says the man was irritated with him for not speaking or understanding Afrikaans.
“He asked me angrily why I don't know how to speak Afrikaans as the majority of customers speak Afrikaans,” he says.
Muzimisa says he felt embarrassed while on duty, because the confrontation took place in the presence of six witnesses – four managers and two other guards.
“I had never met this man before, and I didn't know his position. I responded to him politely that it is not a must for me to know how to speak Afrikaans after he continuously asked why I don't understand the language.
“He told me because of how I responded, he is going to call the manager, which he did in Afrikaans,” he says.
Muzimisa says he was called in by Rubicon's general manager, Johan Viljoen, who then demoted him to being a car washer at Rubicon's offices.
“He demanded I apologise if I wanted to get back to my normal duties, and I refused because he offended me. I deserve an apology,” he says.
Muzimisa is currently unemployed after refusing to wash cars at the company.
“The contract I signed did not have Afrikaans as a requirement, but English, and my English is decent, because I went to school,” he says.
Muzimisa says: “People should learn to say no to racism, because there is always someone who wants to assist you out there.”
He says colonialism is over, and “we're free now”.
“Never be afraid of reporting when you're treated like a savage. Report any violence, any colonialism,” he says.
A witness of the incident, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, this week confirmed that Muzimisa's demotion was indeed because he is unable to communicate in Afrikaans.
“It happened so fast when he was body searching, and one of the men felt disrespected when he could not respond in Afrikaans.
“Next thing we saw the man making a phone call to the general manager, saying he can't be doing the same job because he cannot speak Afrikaans,” the witness said.
He said Muzimisa was not being disrespectful in any way.
Viljoen, however, denies the allegations.
“He is lying. He resigned with a 24-hour notice himself. I gave him an option, and he decided he did not want to, because the offer was not permanent.
“I did not dismiss him or tell him he was fired. He offered to go on site because he was not allowed to work in Pick n Pay any more because of his attitude towards management,” he says.
Viljoen, who also denies demoting Muzimisa to a car washer, says he opted to send him to a different site, because Rubicon's other managers warned him about Muzimisa's aggressive behaviour.
“He was given a site at the fuel centre, which he refused, but there is no difference,” he says. Muzimisa says he plans to take further steps and report the matter to the Ombudsman. “I am hoping that they will deal with it fairly,” he said.
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