Tjombe guns for Megasave, former manager
27 January 2020 | Local News
Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe says he will be representing Megasave Gobabis employee Samuel Afrikaner after a video clip went viral in which the worker is repeatedly assaulted by former manager Sarel de Waal.
It is alleged that the victim had stolen from a colleague.
De Waal has since apologised on Facebook and dismissed claims that he is a racist, saying “we are all human and sometimes do mistakes”.
He admitted that the matter could have been handled in a more civilised manner, but it spiralled out of control in the heat of the moment.
“I would like to make use of this opportunity to apologise for an incident that did not just affect the direct parties involved, but our great nation as a whole.”
Meanwhile, the incident has been widely criticised on social media with most Namibians, including Tjombe, pointing out that racism in Namibia is still rife.
Tjombe told Namibian Sun that this is an important case, which is why they will take it on.
“We have managed to make contact and we will be taking legal action against the company and the individual manager. The dignity of Afrikaner, being humiliated in front of his other colleagues, is most offending, in addition to the physical pain of the assault,” he said. Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed that a criminal case has also been opened with the Gobabis police.
On Friday, Megasave group owner Gerrie Mostert said the incident does not reflect the policies of the company. He also confirmed that De Waal has since been relieved of his duties and was removed from the premises.
“I received a video link via Whatsapp on Thursday evening at roughly 22:00. I wasn't fully aware of the physical altercation that took place on Monday, 20 January, when one of our managers, Sarel de Waal, physically abused one of our employees after it was alleged that he had stolen from a fellow employee,” Mostert said.
He apologised to the Namibian public for the hurt and anger the distribution of the video clip has caused.
He further urged the public to contact Megasave if they have more questions regarding the incident.
“We also wish to confirm that Samuel Afrikaner is still in our employment, pending the relevant police investigations,” Mostert added.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
It is alleged that the victim had stolen from a colleague.
De Waal has since apologised on Facebook and dismissed claims that he is a racist, saying “we are all human and sometimes do mistakes”.
He admitted that the matter could have been handled in a more civilised manner, but it spiralled out of control in the heat of the moment.
“I would like to make use of this opportunity to apologise for an incident that did not just affect the direct parties involved, but our great nation as a whole.”
Meanwhile, the incident has been widely criticised on social media with most Namibians, including Tjombe, pointing out that racism in Namibia is still rife.
Tjombe told Namibian Sun that this is an important case, which is why they will take it on.
“We have managed to make contact and we will be taking legal action against the company and the individual manager. The dignity of Afrikaner, being humiliated in front of his other colleagues, is most offending, in addition to the physical pain of the assault,” he said. Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed that a criminal case has also been opened with the Gobabis police.
On Friday, Megasave group owner Gerrie Mostert said the incident does not reflect the policies of the company. He also confirmed that De Waal has since been relieved of his duties and was removed from the premises.
“I received a video link via Whatsapp on Thursday evening at roughly 22:00. I wasn't fully aware of the physical altercation that took place on Monday, 20 January, when one of our managers, Sarel de Waal, physically abused one of our employees after it was alleged that he had stolen from a fellow employee,” Mostert said.
He apologised to the Namibian public for the hurt and anger the distribution of the video clip has caused.
He further urged the public to contact Megasave if they have more questions regarding the incident.
“We also wish to confirm that Samuel Afrikaner is still in our employment, pending the relevant police investigations,” Mostert added.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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