Union apologises after retracting NPI claims

Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) general secretary Petersen Kambinda has withdrawn his allegations against Namib Poultry Industries (NPI).

The allegations included claims that the working environment at NPI was unsafe, that discrimination and favouritism existed among its workforce and that employees were being denied their constitutional rights. This follows a settlement reached through a court-facilitated mediation process.

“These were serious allegations, and they were untrue,” Namib Mills human resources head Amorey Pote said in a statement issued last week.

“They were spread to tens of thousands of people concerning a business that our employees have built together. We went to court because the record needed to be corrected, and that has now been done.”

“NPI fully respects every employee’s right to belong to a union and to raise concerns, and we will always address genuine issues through the appropriate channels. However, what we will not tolerate is the spread of falsehoods about our people and our business,” she added.

Apology issued

In an official retraction issued on 21 October, Kambinda said: “These statements were not true, and I unconditionally apologise for making them and for the damage they may have caused to Namib Poultry Industries (Pty) Ltd, its management and related companies.”

Kambinda added that NPI and Namib Mills had initially demanded N$400 000 from him personally, as well as payment of their legal costs and a public apology.

He said that, under the settlement, he had agreed to deliver his apology in front of the company’s management.

Namibian Sun's sister publication Republikein reported earlier this year on a Naretu strike at Namib Mills’ head office in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area, which lasted 59 days.

The union leader's apology relates to a separate strike at NPI on 16 December 2025 at Klein Okapuka farm, about 30 km outside Windhoek.

Kambinda said the dispute over the official recognition of his union as the exclusive bargaining agent had been referred to the labour relations ministry and that the union was awaiting a decision from the Office of the Labour Commissioner.

He said Naretu represents about 700 NPI employees.

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