SWAKOPMUND - Swakopmund municipality employees have raised their displeasure over alleged unprocedural appointments, racial discrimination, and nepotism at the local authority.
They also took issue with the outsourcing of council services.
The disgruntled employees yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration, where they, backed by the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), handed over a petition to the town’s deputy mayor.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow employees, Aloysia Kahuika said they are disturbed by the level of institutionalised corruption at the council while black employees are subjected to systematic racism through an illegal disciplinary policy.
She said the policy is not legal.
According to her, the policy was not vetted nor was it gazetted, demanding that it be suspended with immediate effect or until it is legally compliant.
“It is even disturbing and selective. Only black employees are being charged. That is racism of the highest order. Our CEO will recall that we reported an incident that involved a manager and his wife, but that incident was swept under the carpet. No steps were taken. Imagine if it was a general worker or a street cleaner. Imagine if it was a black person,” she charged.
The workers now demand that the particular manager be charged with misconduct and go through a disciplinary hearing.
They have given the council seven days to act on their demands.
According to her, the council also failed to appoint the best candidate for the general manager of a corporate service position as recommended by the interview panel.
“Council chose to appoint the second-best candidate instead of the first candidate that was recommended by the panel. They failed to deal with the matter a month after we wrote the letter. Hence our demands are clear. Apply and follow the law. If you are not happy with the process; the law will direct what to do next. Implement the recommendation of the interview panel,” Kahuika said on behalf of the workers.
The workers expressed their concerns over job attachment for students who are at the end of the day appointed without council following the correct procedures.
They also demanded that the council complete their long-overdue regrading process, do away with the recruitment policy and stop outsourcing council duties to contractors who will eventually only exploit the workers they employ.
“We advise the council to make use of the contract employment system and contribute to job creation and still save costs incurred on contractors. Stop outsourcing services to our airport, bungalows, sewage pumps and cleaning services, parks and sport grounds and rather hire residents to do the job,” the workers appealed.
Swakopmund deputy mayor David Am-gabeb received the petition on behalf of the council and indicated that they will look into the issues.
edeklerk@nepc.com.na