Rauna Shikomba-Nyorkor

Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua and regional council chairperson Marlayn Mbakera have denounced the abuse and ill-treatment of farmworkers in the region at the hands of their employers. According to Mbakera, the abuse of farmworkers by both commercial and communal farmers in the region has skyrocketed and is a serious concern.

“These people are suffering. They are physically, emotionally and financially exploited by their employers,” she said. She added that the farmers have expressed a loss of trust in the ministry of labour because they feel the ministry’s level of intervention is not satisfactory as it should be. “As a result, these victims flock to my office for intervention,” Mbakera who also serves as Otjiwarongo constituency councillor said. 

On his part, Uerikua claimed farmers are beaten up, insulted, and experience all sorts of treatment at the hands of their employers. He described the treatment as inhumane and unacceptable, which nobody deserves. Uerikua said that these culprits need to face the full wrath of the law. He also called upon all relevant institutions to come together and fight this social evil.

 “Let us not wait for a life to be lost for us to take the situation seriously, the time to act is now,” he said. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Let us give everyone an equal chance to justice.” He promised to clean up the region and leave no stone unturned. The two leaders were speaking at a meeting this week with the Omatako constituency councillor Israel Hukura in Otjiwarongo, which was the first of series of consultative meetings that the two leaders will hold with all political leaders in the region.