NUNW to start Ongopolo probe soon

THE National Union of Namibian Workers says it will begin, “without further delay”, to investigate alleged mismanagement that almost led to the collapse of Ongopolo Mining and Processing (OMP).

The decision was taken at the recent NUNW Central Executive Committee meeting after the General Secretary of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, Joseph Hengari, publicly distanced his union from the NUNW decision. NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda said yesterday that the rest of the MUN leadership distanced itself from Hengari’s statement and supported the NUNW congress resolution to investigate Ongopolo.The initial decision to investigate the downfall of Ongopolo was taken at the NUNW congress after a motion was tabled and motivated by the MUN.However, Hengari rejected the decision when it was announced by NUNW President Alpheus Muheua and that held up the process.Yesterday, it became clear that Hengari took the decision without consulting other MUN leaders.Hengari earlier told The Namibian that his union was not party to a decision to investigate Ongopolo.”We are hearing about the investigation.Who will benefit from it? They (NUNW) want to investigate after they signed an agreement with Weatherly International, which we understand will have serious negative effects on the workers.We are not party to that,” said Hengari.Hengari said they had information indicating that some workers would be transferred in terms of the deal with Weatherly and that others would have to work longer hours.”We are informed that they want to go to full production with fewer staff.NUNW was involved in the discussion with Weatherly and now they want to investigate Ongopolo.They cannot be involved in the affairs of the affiliates without being requested by them to do so,” Hengari claimed.Muheua said the NUNW got on board because the company had been on the verge of collapsing and workers risked losing jobs.British-based Weatherly International committed itself to paying 17 million pounds (about N$183 million) in cash for its stake.Yesterday Kaaronda said a full investigation into the affairs of Ongopolo “will commence without further delay”.It was not clear how long the investigation would take, or what its scope would be.NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda said yesterday that the rest of the MUN leadership distanced itself from Hengari’s statement and supported the NUNW congress resolution to investigate Ongopolo.The initial decision to investigate the downfall of Ongopolo was taken at the NUNW congress after a motion was tabled and motivated by the MUN.However, Hengari rejected the decision when it was announced by NUNW President Alpheus Muheua and that held up the process.Yesterday, it became clear that Hengari took the decision without consulting other MUN leaders.Hengari earlier told The Namibian that his union was not party to a decision to investigate Ongopolo.”We are hearing about the investigation.Who will benefit from it? They (NUNW) want to investigate after they signed an agreement with Weatherly International, which we understand will have serious negative effects on the workers.We are not party to that,” said Hengari.Hengari said they had information indicating that some workers would be transferred in terms of the deal with Weatherly and that others would have to work longer hours.”We are informed that they want to go to full production with fewer staff.NUNW was involved in the discussion with Weatherly and now they want to investigate Ongopolo.They cannot be involved in the affairs of the affiliates without being requested by them to do so,” Hengari claimed.Muheua said the NUNW got on board because the company had been on the verge of collapsing and workers risked losing jobs.British-based Weatherly International committed itself to paying 17 million pounds (about N$183 million) in cash for its stake.Yesterday Kaaronda said a full investigation into the affairs of Ongopolo “will commence without further delay”.It was not clear how long the investigation would take, or what its scope would be.