Employees at Swapo co-owned company unpaid since November

Employees of Hodago Fishing (Pty) Ltd - a company in which the ruling party Swapo’s Gendev Fishing Resources holds a significant stake - have not received salaries since November last year.

In communication seen by Namibian Sun, the company admitted it cannot pay its crew and staff despite months of unfulfilled promises.

For many Hodago workers, the last few months have been a nightmare. In an internal memorandum dated 22 January 2026, operations manager Hilda Truter acknowledged staff frustrations over delayed payments and confirmed that management had been in intensive discussions with investors to secure funds. She said they were awaiting payments from investors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which were expected to arrive by mid-February. “We anticipate that salaries will be paid on or before 13 February 2026,” Truter wrote. By yesterday, workers were still unpaid.

Hodago outlined a structured plan to address the backlog. Outstanding salaries for November and December 2025 will be settled with the January payment, while January and February 2026 salaries will be paid together in February. March salaries, including the 13th cheque, are scheduled for March. Management emphasised that the plan depends on the availability of funds and is designed to sustain vessel operations.

The company also thanked staff for their patience and professionalism during the delays. Hodago Fishing operates from Walvis Bay and employs crew members represented by the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau).

But in a late internal memo yesterday, the company’s strategy and governance coordinator, Frieda Mutongolume, assured staff that the outstanding salaries would be paid today, 17 February. She added that the February salary and the 13th cheque would be paid in March.

The Swapo connection

Hodago’s financial woes are a headache for the ruling party.

Hodago is a joint venture between Gendev Fishing Resources and other partners. Gendev Fishing Resources is 96.5% owned by Guinas Investments (Pty) Ltd, a company wholly owned by Swapo. Swapo’s investment in Gendev and Hodago is valued at N$480 million and was intended to create jobs and reduce poverty.

While workers wait for salaries, a legal battle is brewing between the owners. Gendev has issued a legal threat against its 40% partner, Eco Fishing Processors, accusing the minority shareholder of failing to contribute over three years.

In an August 2025 report to shareholders, Paulina Haindongo, Gendev’s board chairperson, said Eco Fishing had not provided promised fishing quotas or contributed financially to operations, forcing Gendev to shoulder the full financial burden. Debt has reportedly grown to over N$96 million, with Hodago alone owing Gendev N$48 million.

Gendev has threatened legal action to dilute the minority partner’s shares if repayment is not made, potentially giving it greater control over the company to protect its investment.

Meanwhile, the 700 employees at the Gendev factory - mostly women - are bearing the brunt of the financial dispute. Truter has called for continued patience as the company works to secure funds, but for workers who went through Christmas and New Year without pay, patience is running out. “Just imagine how one survives with no salary for three months,” one employee remarked yesterday. - [email protected]