Namib Mills calls armed security against protesting employees

Namib Mills has called in armed security guards at its Windhoek headquarters in response to the strike.

“Why should a person wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a gun come to a peaceful protest? They are trying to tell us they have the capacity to kill us,” Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) head Petersen Kambinda says.

At least five security guards from Xiphos Security, wearing masks and vests, are standing guard outside the entrance to Namib Mills. The company also has a standing contract with Namibia Protection Services, and several of their security guards are already on site.

In response, Naretu called the police, who arrived on the scene at 15h00 yesterday.

“These are private security that we brought in to protect company property and personnel. It is specifically related to the continuous breach in strike rules,” human resources head Amorey Pote says.

On Tuesday, Namib Mills notified Naretu that it would take disciplinary action against employees breaking strike rules.

“Your members and our employees are exposing themselves to disciplinary action for serious misconduct. Your members may be dismissed from employment if found guilty,” it says in a letter seen by The Namibian.

The specific breaches of strike rules referenced by Namib Mills include threats of violence and intimidation, physical assaults on contractors, and obstruction of lawful access to company premises.

According to Pote, Namib Mills held a meeting with Naretu on Tuesday, during which the union promised to allow trucks access. She claims that, after that meeting, union members continued to threaten truck drivers and block access.

The security company contracted in Windhoek is Xiphos Security. According to Pote, Namib Mills has brought in several security companies across its depots nationwide in response to the behaviour of striking workers.

Xiphos security could not be reached for comment.

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