NUNW’s Naholo ‘is history’ April 1 1989 rips at heart of union

NATIONAL Union of Namibian Workers’ First Vice President Alpheus Muheua says there is nothing else to discuss on the sacking of former acting Secretary General Peter Naholo. Reacting to a statement by NUNW President Risto Kapenda that he would call a meeting to amicably solve the dispute between Naholo and some affiliates, Muheua said the issue was concluded and the former acting Secretary General was history.

Muheua announced at a media briefing in Windhoek on Thursday that Naholo was sacked with immediate effect after he dared to differ in public with a group linked to former President Sam Nujoma. Muheua and others such as Peter Nevonga of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) issued a statement a week earlier backing Nujoma’s account of the events of April 1 1989.Naholo wrote a letter to fellow union leaders and took issue with them over the statement.He said the NUNW had never decided to issue a statement, as claimed by those who released it on Friday behind his and union President Kapenda’s back.Claiming that it was a collective decision of all NUNW affiliates, the statement backed Nujoma’s denials that he was to blame for the deaths of hundreds of Swapo fighters as the then commander-in-chief of the ruling party’s military wing.However, Naholo said a letter was issued by the secretariat calling for wider consultations “as well as prudent consideration of the matter around which the media statement revolved”.Following the news of Naholo’s sacking, Kapenda announced that he would call another meeting of the NUNW Central Executive Committee to discuss the matter and to solve their differences quietly.Muheua, however, maintained that they had followed the right procedures and the NUNW constitution before sacking Naholo and, therefore, there was nothing to be discussed.”Maybe Kapenda has got another constitution.We made absolutely sure that we follow the right procedures,” he said.Naholo was appointed by the NUNW Central Committee after the resignation of Ranga Haikali and some unionists felt that the NUNW was in breach of labour laws by not conducting a disciplinary hearing before dismissing him.Muheua said Naholo was elected to office and was, therefore, not an employee.”He was supposed to have been elected.We couldn’t have another congress just for him to take office,” Muheua explained.He said Naholo has handed over the NUNW vehicle and other equipment.Sources speculated that Naholo might take the NUNW to the labour court for unfair dismissal.Neither Naholo nor Kapenda could be reached for comment.Muheua and others such as Peter Nevonga of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) issued a statement a week earlier backing Nujoma’s account of the events of April 1 1989.Naholo wrote a letter to fellow union leaders and took issue with them over the statement. He said the NUNW had never decided to issue a statement, as claimed by those who released it on Friday behind his and union President Kapenda’s back.Claiming that it was a collective decision of all NUNW affiliates, the statement backed Nujoma’s denials that he was to blame for the deaths of hundreds of Swapo fighters as the then commander-in-chief of the ruling party’s military wing.However, Naholo said a letter was issued by the secretariat calling for wider consultations “as well as prudent consideration of the matter around which the media statement revolved”.Following the news of Naholo’s sacking, Kapenda announced that he would call another meeting of the NUNW Central Executive Committee to discuss the matter and to solve their differences quietly.Muheua, however, maintained that they had followed the right procedures and the NUNW constitution before sacking Naholo and, therefore, there was nothing to be discussed.”Maybe Kapenda has got another constitution.We made absolutely sure that we follow the right procedures,” he said.Naholo was appointed by the NUNW Central Committee after the resignation of Ranga Haikali and some unionists felt that the NUNW was in breach of labour laws by not conducting a disciplinary hearing before dismissing him.Muheua said Naholo was elected to office and was, therefore, not an employee.”He was supposed to have been elected.We couldn’t have another congress just for him to take office,” Muheua explained.He said Naholo has handed over the NUNW vehicle and other equipment.Sources speculated that Naholo might take the NUNW to the labour court for unfair dismissal.Neither Naholo nor Kapenda could be reached for comment.