Mulunga still fighting unfair dismissal as only one of two labour cases are finalised

Former MD’s unfair dismissal case against Namcor to be heard in September

THE Labour Court says the unfair dismissal case of former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) managing director Imms Mulunga has not been finalised yet.
This comes after The Namibian last week reported that Mulunga won an unfair dismissal labour case against the state-owned oil company.
Ministry of justice and labour relations spokesperson Maria Hedimbi says there were, however, two cases and only one has been finalised.
“The case of Mr Mulunga against Namcor for unfair dismissal is still on the roll and will be heard in September 2025.
“Whereas the case by Namcor against Mulunga of ‘breach of employment contract’ and ‘discrimination’ was the one determined by this tribunal recently,” she says.

This case was finalised in a ruling dated 5 June, in which arbitrator Moses Mazambo dismissed Namcor’s case and ruled in favour of Mulunga.

“In the premise, this tribunal hereby orders the following: The applicant’s points are hereby upheld that the dispute referred to the labour commissioner dated 8 November 2024 by the respondent is hereby dismissed,” Mazambo ruled.

Namcor was also ordered to pay Mulunga N$4 000 in labour costs.

“The matter is removed from the roll and regarded as finalised. This order is final and binding on both parties and will be made an order of the Labour Court,” Mazambo said.

Namcor is, however, not off the hook yet as the unfair dismissal case will still be heard in September.
The case dates back to August 2024, when Namcor’s board fired Mulunga, citing serious misconduct relating to an unauthorised asset acquisition from military contractor Enercon.

Mulunga was accused of committing the company to a US$6.7 million (N$123 million) payment for an oil block in Angola without proper board approval. The board later claimed it was misled and placed under “unfair pressure” to approve additional payments.
Mulunga’s dismissal fate was decided on transactions worth N$60 million to military fuel supplier Enercon.

“The board of directors . . . at its meeting held on 8 August 2024 deliberated on an ongoing case of misconduct relating to the unauthorised asset acquisition by the suspended managing director, Mr Mulunga,” the board said in a notice at the time.

It added: “Following extensive deliberations, the board resolved to terminate the services of Mr Mulunga, with immediate effect. The board believes the misconduct by the managing director is of a serious nature and warrants the decision taken.”

Mulunga subsequently challenged the decision by filing a case of unfair dismissal with the Labour Court.
Namcor later retaliated with its own case on 8 November 2024, accusing Mulunga of discrimination and breach of contract.

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