Split salaries will continue until N$7m tax debt resolved, Kyani security says

Workers say changing pay dates make it difficult to cope with the rising cost of living, while the company says the arrangement will remain in place until it settles its tax obligations.

Kyani Anti-Poaching and Security Group says it will continue paying some employees in salary instalments until it resolves its outstanding tax obligations, leaving workers uncertain over when they will receive their wages in full.

Speaking to Network Media Hub (NMH) yesterday, company owner Dani van der Westhuizen confirmed that the staggered payment system is directly linked to the company's tax debt.

"I don't understand what I told you last time when we met. If I don't pay that eight million or whatsoever, it will continue," Van der Westhuizen said.

He added that the arrangement has been in place since 2023 or 2024 and that he is seeking legal assistance to negotiate a possible settlement with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA).

"I'm also busy with someone in Grootfontein who contacted me because of the media post. It will try to help me to arrange and check if we can negotiate further with Namra. I hope in the future we can get something solved or get something done," he said.

Difficult to survive

The comments come days after NMH reported that security guards employed by Kyani at Cheetah Cement said tax deductions from their salaries were placing severe pressure on their household finances.

One employee told NMH yesterday that while workers eventually receive their full salaries, receiving them in two or three instalments has made it increasingly difficult to survive.

"Even though they pay us in three instalments, it is really affecting us. Yes, we receive our full salary, but we cannot cope with the current economy," the employee said.

According to the worker, guards earn about N$16 per hour, resulting in monthly earnings of roughly N$5 000 to N$6 000, depending on the number of hours worked.

Instead of receiving the amount in one payment, workers are often paid in separate instalments.

"You can rack up around N$5 000 to N$6 000. If you divide it by three, sometimes you get N$2 000, the next instalment is N$1 000 and the last can be N$3 000. It all depends on the month," the employee explained.

He said the dates on which the instalments are paid also vary.

"There is no date. We just get paid randomly. It is discouraging at times, but what can we do?"

The employee said there are 15 Kyani security guards stationed at the Cheetah Cement site, with eight working night shift and seven on day shift.

He further alleged that workers were told the staggered payment arrangement would remain in place because of the company's outstanding tax debt.

"He told us we will continue. There is nothing we can do about that. We will just continue getting paid like that," the employee said.

The worker added that employees feel they have little choice but to continue working despite the uncertainty.

Earlier this month, NamRA confirmed to NMH that Kyani Anti-Poaching and Security Group has an outstanding tax liability of approximately N$7.47 million.

The confirmation followed complaints from employees who questioned whether statutory deductions made from their salaries had been properly remitted and said the deductions were placing pressure on their already stretched household budgets.

Van der Westhuizen has previously acknowledged the outstanding tax debt, saying the company has been working to settle the matter while continuing its operations.

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