Split threatens NUNW family

THE National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has been rocked by another controversy, with at least one union in the federation threatening to withhold its monthly dues.

Just as the union federation emerged ‘united’ from a leadership battle at last month’s congress, the Namibian National Teachers Union (Nantu) at this weekend’s National Teachers Council meeting again brought up the idea of disaffiliation from the federation and also threatened to stop its monthly affiliation fees to NUNW.This was disclosed to The Namibian by a member of Nantu’s National Teachers Council, who attended the meeting but who preferred anonymity.Although Nantu general secretary Basilius Haingura denied that any discussion of this nature took place, The Namibian has it on good authority that the general secretary was part of a group in the Nantu leadership who brought up these issues. Nantu is expected to call a media conference to set the record straight tomorrow. Reasons for the sudden animosity are said to have emanated from last month’s watershed congress, where NUNW secretary general Evilastus Kaaronda was the only person re-elected to his old position.The Haingura-led faction in the Nantu leadership is said to have complained about the way the congress was organised and conducted. The group at the weekend meeting allegedly complained that NUNW congress rules were ‘violated and ignored’.The Haingura group is said to be crying foul, because some unions that were not in good standing were allowed to vote at the congress in contravention of the NUNW constitution.They also feel aggrieved because they were allegedly ignored whenever they wanted to participate in congress discussions.The refusal to pay affiliation fees could have a crippling effect on NUNW operations, as Nantu dues make up more than 30 per cent of the federation’s operational budget.Speculation at the union offices in Mungunda Street is that the planned action is aimed at limiting NUNW operations and activities with the aim of portraying Kaaronda as incompetent. When asked about the developments Kaaronda said that he learnt about the latest developments through the grapevine.’It will dent the organisation (NUNW),’ Kaaronda said, adding that any affiliate union deciding to withdraw its fees would have a serious effect on the activities of the federation. Kaaronda also said he had a feeling things were getting personal, and that union leaders should act in the interest of their members. It is the second time that Nantu is threatening to pull the plug on NUNW.In 2006, then secretary general Miriam Hamutenya also threatened to stop paying membership fees following an acrimonious NUNW congress, where Kaaronda also emerged victorious at the expense of Peter Naholo, now Rally for Democracy and Progress Member of Parliament.Four years down the line, another victory for Kaaronda is again throwing up the same threats.Nantu and Napwu are known to have campaigned against Kaaronda’s re-election and backed Alfred Angula, who was beaten with a margin of 245 votes. Angula got 183 votes compared to Kaaronda’s 428.Those close to Kaaronda said the Nantu threats were a sign that the battle for Kaaronda’s head was not over.