Namdeb branch members of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) staged a demonstration on Thursday, demanding that the company recognise their newly elected branch chairperson, Laina Festus.
The union handed Namdeb chief executive Riaan Burger a petition calling for Festus to be recognised after she secured 510 votes in the branch elections held from 18 to 31 August.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group, MUN Namdeb branch secretary for information Nestor Shimuteikeni argues that the company has not challenged the election itself but continues to refuse to recognise Festus, who was subsequently elected to lead the branch.
“Namdeb’s withdrawal of Festus’s recognition as a part-time shop steward cannot automatically disqualify her from serving as branch chairperson, as the two positions are separately regulated under the recognition and procedural agreement,” he says.
MUN is also challenging allegations of misconduct against Festus, saying the matter remains before the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
The union is demanding that Namdeb identify the specific provision of the agreement or law that prevents Festus from taking office and stop treating the disputed allegations as a final finding.
It wants Namdeb to respect the union’s independence and the democratic mandate of its members.
