Security guards at Rundu school demand outstanding wages

A group of 35 security guards working at state schools in the Rundu circuit say they have struggled to receive back pay from the education ministry since 2020, and risk unfair dismissal if they complain.

The security guards and members of the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) are stationed at various schools in the Rundu circuit in the Kavango East region.

They complain of what they describe as poor working conditions and prolonged wage disputes with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Group representative Paulus Ndara says despite their dedication to ensuring the safety of educational institutions, they have faced years of unpaid wages, intimidation and dismissals.

Ndara recently shared his experience working 12-hour shifts after undergoing surgery without taking any leave.

“We have waited for our wages since 2020, our calls for justice have been met with threats of dismissal,” Ndara said.

Three guards at Dr Romanus Kampungu School – Augustinus Vihemba, Olvai Sivambo and Hiskia Kandonga – report that they were fired, replaced by guards from Tulikumo security company, and denied back pay they claim is owed to them.

“We inquired about the termination, our finding is that the principal decided that our services are no longer needed at the premises,” Vihemba said.

Natau field organiser Ladislaus Ihemba has said the union is aware of the payment delay and the replacement of the security guards at the school.

“I was out of town when it happened, however, the decision is unfair because the agreement signed with the ministry [states] that any company which wins the tender bid must recruit [from] the current security guards at state schools,” Ihemba said.

Ihemba said the union will investigate the matter and resolve the matter with the education ministry.

Principal Thomas Zokka said recently that he told all the security guards about the school’s decision to choose the Tulikumo security company on 29 March.

Kozza said he was given the mandate to award the company a three month temporary contract to supply six security guards. Tulikumo requested that three of those guards be already employed at the school based on their competencies and attitude.

The Namibian recently contacted Lukas Mwira, Tulikumo’s manager, who confirmed the three-month tender award.

“We negotiated to absorb three [currently employed security guards] because we still have some of our employees who are not having posts, thus we requested the school to give us the best candidate,” Mwira said.

Kavango East education director Christine Shilima said the dispute around back pay is currently being addressed.
“The issue of the security guards’ back pay is receiving my attention since it was reported to my office. I have assigned the chief accountant to do all administration work,” Shilima said.

Shilima requested that the security guards submit all relevant outstanding information to her office in a timely fashion.

“Regarding the dismissal of the security guards at Dr Romanus Kampungu are labour related matters [in] which I cannot intervene,” Shilima stated.