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Politician’s company exploits workers: union

Politician’s company exploits workers: union

THE Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Natau) has accused Njangula Security Services, a company operating in the Hardap and Karas regions, of abusing its workers.

Njangula Security Services is owned by the Swapo Councillor for the Sibinda constituency in the Caprivi Region, Felix Mukupi, who represents the ruling party. The company was allocated tenders to guard Government buildings in the Karas and Hardap regions.At a media conference at Keetmanshoop this week, Natau’s Regional Organiser in the South, Chris Willemse, claimed that the company had not paid some of its workers for up to 12 months.It also did not pay extra for work done on night shifts, Sundays and public holidays, she said.In the Karas Region alone, the company owes its workers N$81 360 in unpaid wages, Willemse claimed.She said the union foresees a similar row over non-payment of salaries by another security company, Special Security Services, which she called a “shadow company” of Njangula Security Services.”In fact the wife of Mukupi, MK Mukaya, is the owner of Special Security Services,” Willemse said.When approached for comment, Mukupi denied that his company owed its workers money.”The union is lying, don’t believe what they’re telling you,” he said angrily.”The unionist’s allegations are apart of a hidden agenda she has against my company,” he claimed.According to Willemse, Special Security Services workers have not received their wages for January and February.Alifeli Victor Maseho, who says he owns Special Security Services, denied the allegations.Willemse alleged that Special Security Services secured tenders to guard some of the Education Ministry’s buildings in the Karas and Hardap regions through Mukaya, who is an employee at the Ministry’s office at Katima Mulilo.She called on the Labour Commissioner to launch an investigation into alleged favouritism and nepotism at the tender boards.She further called on the Ministry of Labour to cancel the Special Security Services contract.The company was allocated tenders to guard Government buildings in the Karas and Hardap regions.At a media conference at Keetmanshoop this week, Natau’s Regional Organiser in the South, Chris Willemse, claimed that the company had not paid some of its workers for up to 12 months.It also did not pay extra for work done on night shifts, Sundays and public holidays, she said.In the Karas Region alone, the company owes its workers N$81 360 in unpaid wages, Willemse claimed.She said the union foresees a similar row over non-payment of salaries by another security company, Special Security Services, which she called a “shadow company” of Njangula Security Services.”In fact the wife of Mukupi, MK Mukaya, is the owner of Special Security Services,” Willemse said.When approached for comment, Mukupi denied that his company owed its workers money.”The union is lying, don’t believe what they’re telling you,” he said angrily.”The unionist’s allegations are apart of a hidden agenda she has against my company,” he claimed.According to Willemse, Special Security Services workers have not received their wages for January and February.Alifeli Victor Maseho, who says he owns Special Security Services, denied the allegations.Willemse alleged that Special Security Services secured tenders to guard some of the Education Ministry’s buildings in the Karas and Hardap regions through Mukaya, who is an employee at the Ministry’s office at Katima Mulilo.She called on the Labour Commissioner to launch an investigation into alleged favouritism and nepotism at the tender boards.She further called on the Ministry of Labour to cancel the Special Security Services contract.

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