Natau, TransNamib employees to protest reappointment of human capital executive

The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) has announced nationwide demonstrations to commence on 29 October.

The demonstrations will be lawful and peaceful as they are being planned in close cooperation with police, Natau is assuring the public.

This comes after TransNamib employees represented by the union expressed their dissatisfaction with the reappointment of TransNamib human capital executive Webster Gonzo.

“Despite repeated appeals and concerns from employees over this decision, the board’s resolve to proceed with his reemployment has only deepened the discontent and led employees to believe their voices are being disregarded,” a press release issued by Natau acting general secretay Narina Pollmann on Thursday reads.

The union demands the immediate removal of Gonzo from his post as well as a formal review of the board’s decision to reappoint him.

TransNamib employees have repeatedly raised concerns regarding Gonzo through internal channels revolving around persistent mismanagement, irregular employment practices, lack of accountability and disregard of company policy and legal requirements, according to Natau.

This includes a formal engagement with TransNamib management on 7 October.

“Unfortunately, the management’s response was unsatisfactory,” reads the press release.

Subsequent engagement with the board of directors also failed to resolve the matter.

Natau has informed the relevant stakeholders, including minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi with who a meeting was scheduled for 23 October.

However, the minister postponed the meeting to 4 November, causing further dissatisfaction among TransNamib employees.

Natau is calling on all parties “to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards an amicable solution to these pressing concerns,” reads the press release.