Union protests against guards riding in transit vans
The National Security Guards Protection Union claims that security companies are transporting guards in the back of cash-in-transit (CIT) vans in contravention of transport regulations.
This has been denied by a senior police officer, though.
According to the union's acting secretary-general, Mekupi Kandorozu, they are registered as a trade union with the labour ministry, but the security industry is ignoring them.
Kandorozu told Namibian Sun that security companies exposed their employees to danger in the event of accidents or robberies by having them ride in the closed vans.
“At least two security guards are placed in the back of the CIT vehicles. There are no windows, it has two small ventilation openings, and has a huge built-in safe where money is kept for safety.
“The two or more guards sit in the corners of these vehicles without seatbelts and without knowing where they are and where they are heading to. Imagine the situation these guards are in when they are travelling a long distance,” Kandorozu said.
He said this is inhumane and disrespectful.
Kandorozu reported the matter to the Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele.
In a letter dated 31 May, Amwele informed Kandorozu that she had inspected some vehicles of the companies in question and found nothing untoward about the practice.
“The Road Traffic and Transport Act 22/1999, Regulation 266 (a) (b) as amended, allows passengers to be transported in the back of goods vehicles with gross vehicle mass of less than 3 500 kilogrammes, as long as they should not be more than six passengers,” Amwele said.
Kandorozu said he was not satisfied with Amwele's response and would not stop there.
“People's lives are at risk here. I would like these companies to stop these practices with immediate effect. Our union has written to most of these companies and we have not received any communication from them, even acknowledgement of receipt.
“This is an indication that they completely disregard and display an arrogant attitude towards the union, which is legitimately registered with the ministry of labour,” he said.
ILENI NANDJATO
This has been denied by a senior police officer, though.
According to the union's acting secretary-general, Mekupi Kandorozu, they are registered as a trade union with the labour ministry, but the security industry is ignoring them.
Kandorozu told Namibian Sun that security companies exposed their employees to danger in the event of accidents or robberies by having them ride in the closed vans.
“At least two security guards are placed in the back of the CIT vehicles. There are no windows, it has two small ventilation openings, and has a huge built-in safe where money is kept for safety.
“The two or more guards sit in the corners of these vehicles without seatbelts and without knowing where they are and where they are heading to. Imagine the situation these guards are in when they are travelling a long distance,” Kandorozu said.
He said this is inhumane and disrespectful.
Kandorozu reported the matter to the Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele.
In a letter dated 31 May, Amwele informed Kandorozu that she had inspected some vehicles of the companies in question and found nothing untoward about the practice.
“The Road Traffic and Transport Act 22/1999, Regulation 266 (a) (b) as amended, allows passengers to be transported in the back of goods vehicles with gross vehicle mass of less than 3 500 kilogrammes, as long as they should not be more than six passengers,” Amwele said.
Kandorozu said he was not satisfied with Amwele's response and would not stop there.
“People's lives are at risk here. I would like these companies to stop these practices with immediate effect. Our union has written to most of these companies and we have not received any communication from them, even acknowledgement of receipt.
“This is an indication that they completely disregard and display an arrogant attitude towards the union, which is legitimately registered with the ministry of labour,” he said.
ILENI NANDJATO
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