WINDHOEK – The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has temporarily suspended its acting secretary general Alfred Angula, currently on bail of N$50 000 for alleged fraud exceeding N$1.2 million.
Angula is charged with the embezzlement of funds exceeding N$1.2 million of donor funds allocated to the Namibian Farmworkers Union (Nafwu) during his tenure as Nafwu secretary general.
The NUNW late yesterday issued newspaper advertisements in which it said its executive committee “has decided to make an immediate structural arrangement whilst awaiting the natural process to follow suit at the two legged system, being labour and judicial, to determine the facts and including the criminality of the offence.”
The advertisement did not say whether or not the NUNW executive committee has appointed an acting person to replace Angula. However, uninion sources hinted that Job Munjaro could be appointed as the acting NUNW secretary general.
Munjaro, when contacted for comment late yesterday, declined to comment and he could neither confirm or deny if he is the acting secretary general. Angula also told New Era that he is not aware of any decision to relieve him of his duties but added that he is still waiting to hear about his fate from the NUNW.
NUNW, in the advertisement statement, indicates it recognises the fact the fraud allegations do not reflect well on its image as a federation.
“We are a principal organisation, we’ll be consistent, firm on principles without fear of favour and we do not condone such leadership behaviour as it has an impact on the workers that have entrusted us with their destiny as leaders,” reads the newspaper advert.
Angula is alleged to have committed the fraud when he was at Nafwu during the period of January 31 to December 31, 2012 while serving as the secretary general of the farm workers’ union.
The 48-year-old unionist was arrested by the Namibian police and spent over a week in the Wanaheda police holding cells until he successfully applied for bail of N$50 000 last Wednesday a week after his arrest.
Angula was the secretary general of Nafwu until July 2011, when he took up the position of acting secretary general of the NUNW following the unceremonious departure of outspoken unionist Evilastus Kaaronda.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa