Karas Abattoir and Tannery to cut up to 150 jobs

THE Karas Abattoir and Tannery (KAT) is to cut between 100 and 150 jobs as part of a restructuring plan necessitated by the planned closure of its ostrich slaughtering plant.

The outgoing Managing Director, Frikkie Mouton, this week told The Namibian that KAT board members would meet next week for three days to discuss the restructuring process scheduled for July. The abattoir is situated 20 kilometres south of Keetmanshoop.He said the board meeting would also discuss new projects such as the slaughtering of small livestock to create new jobs.He called on workers that would be laid off not to lose hope, since they would be first in line to be offered the new jobs.Mouton said the last ostriches would be slaughtered at the dual-purpose abattoir during the second week of this month.Goats and sheep are also slaughtered at the abattoir.In an attempt to rescue the sinking ostrich industry in the South, the Government, through Agribank, pumped in millions of dollars to keep the industry afloat.However, Agribank last year exited from the industry, saying that the ostrich industry was not as viable as had been anticipated.The Agribank report said while prices of ostrich meat remained under pressure, the cost incurred to raise the birds until slaughter stage were exorbitant.Mouton told The Namibian that he had tendered his resignation to the KAT board, but would stay on for at least three to six months to hand over the operation to his successor.”I want to part with the company in a responsible way,” he said.Mouton said his resignation had nothing to do with the company’s precarious financial position.He did not say what his future plans were.The abattoir is situated 20 kilometres south of Keetmanshoop.He said the board meeting would also discuss new projects such as the slaughtering of small livestock to create new jobs.He called on workers that would be laid off not to lose hope, since they would be first in line to be offered the new jobs.Mouton said the last ostriches would be slaughtered at the dual-purpose abattoir during the second week of this month.Goats and sheep are also slaughtered at the abattoir.In an attempt to rescue the sinking ostrich industry in the South, the Government, through Agribank, pumped in millions of dollars to keep the industry afloat.However, Agribank last year exited from the industry, saying that the ostrich industry was not as viable as had been anticipated.The Agribank report said while prices of ostrich meat remained under pressure, the cost incurred to raise the birds until slaughter stage were exorbitant.Mouton told The Namibian that he had tendered his resignation to the KAT board, but would stay on for at least three to six months to hand over the operation to his successor.”I want to part with the company in a responsible way,” he said.Mouton said his resignation had nothing to do with the company’s precarious financial position.He did not say what his future plans were.