Keetmanshoop
Swapo //Karas regional coordinator Matheus Mumbala along with Desert Fruit and 207 other respondents are being dragged to court by Komsberg Farm.
In a copy of an affidavit dated February 5 seen by New Era, Alwyn Petrus van Straten as the liquidator of Komsberg is taking to court Desert Fruit as first respondent, Mumbala as the second, and Rocco Nguvauva as the general secretary of Namibia Farm Workers Union (Nafwu) as third respondent.
The other respondents are the workers of Komsberg Farm that staged a peaceful demonstration about a week ago calling for the general manager (GM) Jannie Thiart to leave the farm, citing the alleged ill treatment of farmworkers.
The case will be heard in the High Court on February 16.
Nguvauva told New Era that he has received the court order, but said he was surprised by the actions of the lawyers, noting that they had gone back on their earlier agreement with the union that Thiart will be removed from the farm so that workers can go back to work.
He said that after meeting the workers and listening to their grievances last week Friday, the union communicated the workers’ demands to get rid of Thiart and the lawyers agreed to that, but have now made a U-turn on their decision, and it’s now out of his hands.
He could not comment more on the issue, only saying: “I will seek legal advice with the union lawyers.”
Mumbala confirmed receiving the court papers but also reserved his comments, only saying: “I’m waiting to hear what the court says, I can’t comment on that now.”
Mumbala has been vocal and supportive of the workers’ demands that Thiart, whom they accuse of insulting them and inhuman treatment, be removed from the farm.
Last week the workers stopped going to work saying they will only go back to work if the GM is not on the farm premises.
Mumbala has called on Thiart to pack his bags and go and has on several occasions stood by his words, saying “respect Namibian workers or leave our country”. Attempts to get comment from the Desert Fruit management proved futile as their telephones went unanswered.