MUN apologises to mining company

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has publicly apologised to an Israeli-owned manganese mine located about 100 kilometres from Okahandja. MUN president Ismael Kasatu apologised to Purity Manganese for an incident that happened on April 14 when union leaders toured the Otjozondjupa Region and its acting general secretary Ebben Zarondo used inappropriate language toward the management of the company. “We therefore humbly apologise for any wrongdoing to Purity Manganese shareholders, directors and employees,” said Kasatu. He further expressed regret to the mining company for another incident on May 7 when ex-employees of Purity Manganese held a peaceful demonstration about a pending written judgement over their dismissal. According to Kasatu during this demonstration there were notes used by some of the union’s former members that were found to be defamatory toward the management of Purity Manganese, and some statements made also created the impression that the judiciary were contributing to the delay in the written judgment. Kasatu pointed out that the written judgment which the ex-employees demonstrated over had been released on May 22, after the case has been heard during the last quarter of 2011. According to him the court had already passed judgement on June 15, 2011. Purity Manganese dismissed 156 employees after an alleged illegal strike in July 2009. The workers were found guilty of participating in an illegal strike, hijacking company property, absenteeism, holding the company hostage, forcefully entering company premises, and threatening and stopping shift employees from working. The strike was sparked by a fight between two workers at the mine. One of the workers, Yuri Pressman tried to take a cellphone from shop steward Walter Nguvitjita. It was claimed that the phone was needed for urgent company business. After the fight only Nguvitjita was suspended and MUN members launched a work stoppage. Nguvitjita’s suspension was lifted, but when he refused to give a statement to a labour consultant he was again suspended. Afterward, mine employees downed tools and the illegal strike continued until they were suspended on August 2009. The matter was taken to the Labour Commissioner for arbitration and the ruling was in the employees’ favour. However, the company appealed the decision. According to Kasatu the union and its officials undertake to refrain from using inappropriate language and from unbecoming conduct. “The apology does not in any way forfeit the MUN’s rights to represent its members at Purity Manganese or any sectors where workers need our services.”