Nabta saga drags on

Association leadership opts for legal routeThe dispute between the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association and its suspended president Vespa Muunda shows no signs of abating soon.The tussle for leadership at the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) has intensified following a decision by the Nabta national executive committee to open a case of trespassing in December 2016 against the suspended Nabta president Vespa Muunda.The committee opened a criminal case and according to well-placed sources, Muunda will be served with a court order that will compel him to comply with the conditions as stipulated in his letter of suspension. Pertinent issues surrounding the association's power struggle include the imminent deregistration of the association and financials that have not been audited since 2013.According to vice-president of Nabta Jeffrey Platt, the decision to open a case against Muunda is to ensure that he adheres to conditions in his suspension letter, which he was served on 16 November 2016. Muunda is being investigated by the national executive committee on allegations of misconduct and using his position for personal gains. Platt said the association was left with no other option but to take the legal route.Platt also said Muunda has refused to hand over the keys of various Nabta offices countrywide, official documents as well as Nabta company stamps.“He must just understand he is being suspended and not removed from office for good. He is being investigated and remains a Nabta member,” Platt said. Contacted for comment, Muunda said he remains the president of Nabta arguing that there are people within Nabta who are collaborating with former members and rival associations bent on tarnishing his image and who also want to take over so they can plunder the association's finances.He made reference to past fraud and corruption cases involving thousands of dollars that Muunda alleged went missing from the association's coffers saying they were never accounted for or recovered.According to the letter of suspension, Muunda is accused of establishing a Nabta office at the Open Market in Oshakati under a different name called United Long Distance Committee. Another allegation pertains to the use of a Nabta stamp in a communication that authorised taxi fare hikes at Walvis Bay between October and November in 2016.Muunda is also accused of being involved in the appointment of Shilimela Security Services to police the Oshakati, Ondangwa and Rhino Park bus terminals.“I am a legitimate elected leader, they cannot suspend me,” Muunda said and added: “I know who they are and I know what they want.” When asked for comment on the United Long Distance Committee, Muunda confirmed the existence of the committee but stressed that it was established by bus owners in collaboration with Nabta to make sure that revenue collected at the terminals is accounted for.He said Nabta does not benefit from the committee as the funds generated are used to pay the salaries of the four employees at Oshakati as well as the committee members, including himself in his capacity as administrator.Regarding his involvement in the appointment of Shilimela Security Services to guard the bus terminals at Oshakati, Ondangwa and Rhino Park in Windhoek, Muunda said there was nothing amiss as long as the company is delivering the service.“The safety of passengers was taken into consideration, if they are not doing their job they can be removed,” Muunda added.However, Platt said the association's bank account has no funds and further alleged that Muunda opened a post office bank account for Nabta that gives him sole access to the account.“My brother, where have you seen a national organisation with a post office account?” he asked.“These are the things we want to investigate,” Platt said.Regarding the deregistration of the association, Platt said a request was made to the authorities to allow the association to put its house in order adding that the process will be initiated if Muunda submits all files belonging to the association. KENYA KAMBOWE

Nabta saga drags on

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Nabta saga drags on

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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