WAD’s Veronica and NUNW at loggerheads

WOMEN’S Action for Development Executive Director Veronica de Klerk says she is getting legal advice after the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) described her leadership as “cold and cruel”.

NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda told the media on Tuesday that De Klerk had given a warning letter to an employee after she failed to turn up for work because her child was in a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Letha Handura instructed her husband to contact WAD and inform them about the status of their baby and that she was unable to make a trip to Luederitz, where the organisation had planned a field day.In the meantime, according to De Klerk, WAD tried repeatedly and without success to get hold of Handura.De Klerk told The Namibian that Handura was given an assignment to compile a 10-page script as director of ceremonies two weeks before the baby got sick.The field day was planned for November 29 but Handura left work six days earlier because of the sick child.”She was just supposed to tell us what has been completed and what not.Do you go and shower when your child is in ICU? If you are a responsible employee, you can contact your employer,” De Klerk said.Kaaronda provided the media with a copy of the letter that De Klerk wrote to Handura when she returned to work.In the letter De Klerk expressed sympathy about Handura’s baby but said she expected the greatest respect and responsibility towards WAD even in cases of illness and death.”Given the gravity of your aforementioned irresponsible behaviour I have to submit this warning letter to you, hoping that you will realise that even though you are confronted with death or illness in the future, the world does not come to a standstill,” she wrote.She added that Handura must show respect and responsibility to WAD and her colleagues if she wanted the same treatment.Kaaronda said De Klerk, heading an organisation to advance women’s concerns, had “too much of a fake agenda” and needed to be called to order.De Klerk said the NUNW was not fair in linking the warning letter to the sick child.”Her assignment was given weeks before the child got sick and had nothing to do with the sick child.That is also why she wrote an apology even before I gave her the warning letter.I had to give her the warning letter so that others cannot do the same,” she said.The WAD leader said her staff were treated fairly and labelled the NUNW as “liars”.”We don’t deserve this from the unions.I have got a conscience.Do they know what cruel means?” she said.De Klerk received the backing of the executive committee of the WAD board.The executive, consis­ting of De Klerk, acting chairperson Anne Gebhardt and legal advisor Dr Burkhard Dobiey, issued a statement on Tuesday stating that the NUNW took libellous action, ostensibly based on lack of information.”The Board has abundant trust which has been time tested, in the fair judgements of the Executive Director and which greatly contributed to the strength of the organisation,” Gebhardt said on behalf of the board.They rejected the “slanderous allegations” against de Klerk and said they would back her in case she decided to sue NUNW.It has offered to meet the NUNW leadership over the incident.At least two board members said they were not consulted about the statement.The others on the WAD board are Reverend Nangula Kathindi (chairperson), Sara Elago, Theunis Keulder, Frances Ferreira, Maggy Nghatanga, Heike Schulz and Colin Usurua.Letha Handura instructed her husband to contact WAD and inform them about the status of their baby and that she was unable to make a trip to Luederitz, where the organisation had planned a field day.In the meantime, according to De Klerk, WAD tried repeatedly and without success to get hold of Handura.De Klerk told The Namibian that Handura was given an assignment to compile a 10-page script as director of ceremonies two weeks before the baby got sick.The field day was planned for November 29 but Handura left work six days earlier because of the sick child.”She was just supposed to tell us what has been completed and what not.Do you go and shower when your child is in ICU? If you are a responsible employee, you can contact your employer,” De Klerk said.Kaaronda provided the media with a copy of the letter that De Klerk wrote to Handura when she returned to work.In the letter De Klerk expressed sympathy about Handura’s baby but said she expected the greatest respect and responsibility towards WAD even in cases of illness and death.”Given the gravity of your aforementioned irresponsible behaviour I have to submit this warning letter to you, hoping that you will realise that even though you are confronted with death or illness in the future, the world does not come to a standstill,” she wrote.She added that Handura must show respect and responsibility to WAD and her colleagues if she wanted the same treatment.Kaaronda said De Klerk, heading an organisation to advance women’s concerns, had “too much of a fake agenda” and needed to be called to order.De Klerk said the NUNW was not fair in linking the warning letter to the sick child.”Her assignment was given weeks before the child got sick and had nothing to do with the sick child.That is also why she wrote an apology even before I gave her the warning letter.I had to give her the warning letter so that others cannot do the same,” she said.The WAD leader said her staff were treated fairly and labelled the NUNW as “liars”.”We don’t deserve this from the unions.I have got a conscience.Do they know what cruel means?” she said.De Klerk received the backing of the executive committee of the WAD board.The executive, consis­ting of De Klerk, acting chairperson Anne Gebhardt and legal advisor Dr Burkhard Dobiey, issued a statement on Tuesday stating that the NUNW took libellous action, ostensibly based on lack of information.”The Board has abundant trust which has been time tested, in the fair judgements of the Executive Director and which greatly contributed to the strength of the organisation,” Gebhardt said on behalf of the board.They rejected the “slanderous allegations” against de Klerk and said they would back her in case she decided to sue NUNW.It has offered to meet the NUNW leadership over the incident.At least two board members said they were not consulted about the statement.The others on the WAD board are Reverend Nangula Kathindi (chairperson), Sara Elago, Theunis Keulder, Frances Ferreira, Maggy Nghatanga, Heike Schulz and Colin Usurua.