Amushelelo to lead Rundu service station protest – The Namibian
THE Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is planning a demonstration at Rundu on Thursday, demanding that one of the town’s service stations is shut down.
THE Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is planning a demonstration at Rundu on Thursday, demanding that one of the town’s service stations is shut down.
The station’s owner, Mike du Preez, together with his workers, are embroiled in a labour scandal over a ‘whipping game’ they allegedly play.
NEFF commissar for economic development Michael Amushelelo this week wrote a letter to the Kavango East police leadership to notify them of the planned protest.
This comes after a former supervisor at the service station, Sammy Monyai, leaked videos to the media in which male employees were seen being whipped on their buttocks with a stick by Du Preez. In another video, the workers are seen whipping Du Preez amid laughter.
The employees say this is part of a game they sometimes play. Monyai, however, says he and his former colleagues endured abuse at the hands of Du Preez when asking for loans.
He claims employees are granted loans of N$100 per stroke. The ‘game’ has sparked public uproar, with people calling for the closure of the service station.
Du Preez has met with the Kavango East regional leadership to explain his actions, and insists it is a game.
“In terms of the Public Gatherings proclamation AG of 1989, we are hereby giving notice to the Namibian Police that we intend to have a peaceful protest at Rundu Total Service Station. The owner of Rundu Total Service station has violated the dignity of his workers by whipping them like small kids, and recording it for fun.
“His acts evoke the very same things white people used to do to black people in the days of colonialism, racism and apartheid,” the NEFF’s notice reads.
Amushelelo further cites article 8 of the Constitution stating that no one should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
He says what Du Preez did to his workers is in direct violation of the Constitution.
“Our people’s rights must be protected at all times and we, the people, will do it ourselves seeing that those in power are failing us,” Amushelelo says.
Acting Kavango East police regional commander Pineas Nambahu yesterday said he has seen and read the notice on social media, but has not received it officially.
“So, formally I cannot address something of that nature,” he said.
Some of the employees involved have confirmed the practice is a game they have been playing since last year.
The regional leadership, however, says the ‘game’ puts the region’s name in disrepute. Chairperson of the Kavango East regional council Damian Maghambayi says everyone involved in the matter should be held accountable, and that the employees should be held accountable for lying.
Du Preez did not respond to a text message and phone calls yesterday.