Economic despair and rampant unemployment could soon be a thing of the past for the residents of Witvlei in the Omaheke region, as the planned reopening of the renowned Witvlei Abattoir is set to provide over 250 permanent and seasonal jobs to the settlement’s inhabitants. 

This was shared by Okorukambe constituency councillor Rocco Nguvauva, who said the process of reopening the once-bustling abattoir is at an advanced stage; the only thing left is to sort out minor procedural and administrative details with the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank), who owns the facility, as well as the successful bidders. 

“The investors are already on board and have met all the requirements as clearly stipulated in the tender documents for the disposal of the abattoir and all related facilities there. They are a group of foreign and local investors – and they have already shown their interest to get the facility up and running again as soon as even next month. I would have liked to share more of the finer details around the agreement, but let me first allow all parties to conclude their part of the deal. But the very exciting news that I can share at this point in time is that over 250 permanent and seasonal jobs are guaranteed for our residents in the coming months,” an excited Nguvauva said. 

For almost 10 years, between 2006 and 2015, the abattoir was the main and biggest employer of over 200 workers at the small settlement, which falls under the Okorukambe constituency and enjoys village status. 

However, the situation at the settlement changed when the abattoir, which was operated by Witvlei Meat, had to close shop due to the severe reduction in the company’s Norwegian beef quota – and that led to the wholesale retrenchment of the over 200 workers.

The company’s woes started early in 2014 when a reversal of Cabinet’s decision of 2010 to split the beef export quota to the lucrative Norwegian market on a 50:50 basis between Meatco and Witvlei Meat resulted in Witvlei Meat being awarded only 300 metric tonnes of export beef for Norway, while Brukarros Meat Processors (BMP) was awarded 100 metric tonnes and Meatco the bulk of the annual allocation of 1 600 metric tonnes for the lucrative market in Europe. 

Agribank had leased the property since 2006 to Witvlei Meat for around N$250 000 per month until the agreement lapsed in 2015 after the lessee is alleged to have breached an agreement to buy the property for N$15 million. 

A protracted legal tussle ensued, which caused the closure of the business by the court – and the workers were left without jobs.

In 2022, Agribank invited tenders to sell the idle facility and other properties owned by the bank in the Omaheke region.

Namibia’s meat industry has in recent times been fraught with legal entanglements, claims and counterclaims of irregularities and sabotage. 

At the centre of the controversy is the inability of Meatco to function optimally. 

The councillor hopes the sad saga will end soon with the recruitment of the residents and for the facility to operate again.

“The situation has really been tough for our residents over the years, as most were solely dependent on the abattoir for income. Not only those who were working at the abattoir but also our senior citizens and the community’s youth were equally affected because they were reliant on the abattoir’s community feeding programme from the leftover bones and meat. So, the reopening will be a huge boost for the community and will also improve the living standards there,” added Nguvauva. 

Meanwhile, Agribank’s spokesperson Fillemon Nangonya equally confirmed to New Era there is great development around the reopening of the abattoir, saying the bank and the successful bidder are now in the process of finalising payment and the eventual takeover of the facility. 

“Yes, I can confirm the process is nearing completion, as the tender for the disposal of the abattoir and all related facilities has already been awarded to the successful bidder. What is left now is the process of the bidders making payment to Agribank as per the agreement. Just to also make it clear, this is not a lease agreement between the bank and the successful bidders, but Agribank is officially disposing or selling off the facility to those successful bidders. So, there is good progress in that regard,” said Nangonya.

- ohembapu@nepc.com.na