Court orders Nafpu to pay Kahiriri

Jesse Jackson KauraisaWindhoekThe labour court has instructed the Namibia Football Players Union (Nafpu) to pay its former secretary-general Olsen Kahiriri N$341 586 for an unfair dismissal.“In light of the foregoing, I order the respondent [Nafpu] to pay the applicant [Kahiriri] and amount of N$341 586 [N$24 399.00 x 14 months] as compensation for an unfair dismissal,” arbitrator Liwela Sasele wrote in the judgment.However, Namibian Sun understands Kahiriri is likely to get nothing, given that Nafpu is currently on autopilot with no existing structures.Kahiriri said he will not be deterred by the fact that he might not recover the losses for the damage caused to him, adding that he is looking at the bigger picture.“I just wanted it to be proven and so that justice could be served for what I clearly called an unfair dismissal at the time.“Well, I have a bigger plan with the judgment, which I know will benefit me and football players in general,” he said.Changed the locksThe court order comes years after Kahiriri claimed unlawful dismissal from his position in March 2019.The arbitration hearing was held on 11 April at the office of the labour commissioner, where Nafpu failed to provide a representative.Kahiriri’s contract, which began on 1 May 2019, was due to run until 31 March 2021.The labour consultant said he reported to duty as usual on 4 March 2019, but found that the office’s locks had been changed.Later that day, he was informed by former Nafpu president Lolo Goraseb that the decision to lock the office was taken by Nafpu’s board and he was just following orders.Kahiriri at the time requested Goraseb to provide him with a written minutes of the board meeting, but the request fell on deaf ears.UnfruitfulAttempts from Kahiriri to seek clarity on his dismissal proved unfruitful and he turned to the labour commissioner’s office on 14 May 2019.“The issue I was required to determine was whether the applicant was unfairly dismissed or not, and if so, to order an appropriate relief,” Sasele wrote.Nafpu was formed in 2008 and registered with the labour commission that same year.The aim of the union was to represent football players in labour matters.

Court orders Nafpu to pay Kahiriri

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Court orders Nafpu to pay Kahiriri

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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