A man from Oshakati has opened a case of assault with the police after he and his boss allegedly exchanged blows over his salary.
The incident took place on 4 July, and the case was opened on 5 July.
Joshua Merkisedek (34) last week told The Namibian he was involved in a fist fight about his salary with one of his bosses at a minimarket owned by Rani Group on 4 July.
He claimed that he was not remunerated according to his employment contract.
Merkisedek said his contract states he should be paid a monthly salary of N$3 100, but said he is only paid N$2 780 per month.
He believes this is not the salary he agreed to when he started working at Rani Group.
Merkisedek said he has been working as a driver at the minimarket since 9 January.
The minimarket is owned by Rani Group owner Ali Dharani.
Merkisedek claimed another Rani Group employee pulled on his scrotum during the incident with his boss.
“After the fight I was arrested by the police and taken into custody for allegedly assaulting my boss. They also assaulted me, but I don’t know why they were not arrested.”
Joshua Merkisedek
Merkisedek said he is still in pain.
He said he wrote to Dharani on 30 July, informing him of his medical condition, and that he was assaulted by his supervisors.
“I have been visiting a doctor many times after I have been assaulted on my testicles. The doctor has confirmed that there was some fluid that causes scrotal pain, which is the result of the testicles getting hurt during the assault,” he wrote.
Merkisedek asked Dharani to help him pay for his treatment, as he is unable to pay for this himself as the incident took place at the workplace.
“I am asking your good office to act immediately as my health is very important. Secondly, I am requesting your office to pay me as my condition won’t allow me to be able to work. My legs, back and testicles are in pain,” he wrote.
Contacted for comment yesterday, a man only known as Mamu, allegedly one of the supervisors who assaulted Merkisedek, said he was busy and promised to call back later.
He had not done so at the time of going to print.
Dharani yesterday confirmed the incident, saying that he could not comment, since the matter is under police investigation.
“I did contact the police and they told us we must wait, they are busy with the investigation,” he said.
Asked whether any action was taken against the supervisors, Dharani said: We have given the evidence of the video and everything to the police for the investigation.
“The moment we know somebody did something wrong, the company will definitely take appropriate action against anybody without fear or favour,” he said.
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