Omusati staff yet to be paid for Independence Day work

Seven staff members from David Sheehama Secondary School at Outapi claim they have not been paid their overtime for cooking and cleaning for cultural groups that performed at the Independence Day celebrations held at Outapi two months ago.

In a letter they shared with The Namibian this week, the staff alleged that they were requested to cook for about 600 guests accommodated in the school hostel at the time.

They said they cooked for the group from 17 to 22 March.

“Our work included cooking for them, cleaning their rooms and toilets for six days,” they said.

They alleged that they were told not to eat the food they cooked, as it was only meant for the guests.

“They said we could not eat the food because we were going to claim overtime.

“They promised us that we will be paid for the six days, but up to now, we have not been paid,” the group said.

They said they have taken the matter to office of the hostel officer of the Omusati directorate of education, arts and culture.

They claim, the hostel officer told them that he forwarded their claim forms to the office of the regional education director, but the director reportedly told them that their forms had not reached his office.

“We are frustrated and tired,” they added.

The school principal Hendrick Nghifinwa told The Namibian that he was not aware that the staff have been paid.

However, a source at the Omusati directorate of education, arts and culture said the forms were signed off recently by Omusati director of education Benny Eiseb.

Omusati hostel officer Petrus Nangolo refused to comment, while, Eiseb was not reachable when contacted for comment.