Nabta leadership divided over strike

THE president of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) says a strike held at Oshakati by thousands of taxi drivers operating in the four northern regions was organised by individuals who are not members of the association.

‘They are not representing Nabta and have no Nabta membership,’ said Magnus Nangombe. He said he had been in touch with legitimate Nabta leaders in all 13 regions who agreed to hold a nationwide Nabta demonstration next week Monday.’It is really childish to start striking without discussing it with the relevant authorities,’ he said. Nangombe said Pendapala Nakathingo, who calls himself Nabta’s northern chairman, is not even a member of the association because he does not meet the criteria for membership.He said Nakathingo does not own a taxi or a public transport permit. Monday’s taxi strike in the North was organised by Nakathingo in protest against recently increased fines for traffic offences.Nakathingo claimed that the Police are treating taxi drivers as their enemies and the enemies of the people.Many taxi drivers in the northern regions have allegedly been fined thousands of dollars several times since Christmas.On Sunday, the Secretary of the Nabta Interim Committee, Sackie Malima, told The Namibian that Nangombe was no longer the president of Nabta and should not speak on behalf of the association anymore, as his term expired in August last year.Nabta’s Interim Committee is preparing a congress to elect the new national leadership of the organisation. Nangombe has dismissed Malima’s claims, saying Nabta’s constitution is very clear on succession. He said the constitution provides that in a situation where a congress cannot be held, the leadership in office should continue.He said it is true that the term of all Nabta’s national leaders expired in August last year and this was because the membership of many Nabta members in the regions had expired.He said the constitution stipulates that people attending the congress should be paid-up members.’The majority of the members where not in good standing with the leadership and that is why the congress could not take place,’ said Nangombe.The committee was given three months until the end of next month to complete its preparations.