Matter of Fact: Johanna Hatutale

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IN an article published on Friday, 21 July, under the head- line ‘Retrenchment inevitable at TransNamib – Board’, we reported on a meeting held between the company’s board and representatives of the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union. The article cited TransNamib board member Johanna Hatutale, among others, saying retrenchments at the national rail company are inevita- ble as per their business plan because they are unable to contain costs. In terms of this article, The Namibian failed to apply its usually high journalistic standards and work according to the media code of ethics, in that we failed to give the TransNamib management and Hatutale the opportunity to comment on what sources alleged was said in the meeting. We unreservedly apologise for this. TransNamib has since said that the article contains untruths. The Namibian has offered both TransNamib and Hatutale the right of reply to clarify what should be corrected in the article.