Rundu security guards ‘working like slaves’
Backpay pending since 2023
The guards said their efforts to secure fair payment have been met with confusion and delays.
A group of security guards stationed at various schools in Rundu say they have been waiting for back pay for over three years, all while enduring harsh working conditions without leave, sick days, or public holidays.
Speaking to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, the guards shared their frustration over what they describe as exploitative working conditions.
“No leave, no off days, no public holidays. We are working like slaves. I’m telling you the truth. We have been working for almost five years, and it’s taking a heavy toll on us,” one security guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Delays and empty promises
The guards said their efforts to secure fair payment have been met with confusion and delays. “We see other schools receiving their back pay, but we haven’t even received the pay for 2023 and 2024. We haven’t gotten anything,” the guard added.
The guards claim that regional education officials assured them that back pay would be processed. However, despite numerous follow-ups, the money has not been forthcoming.
Remaining discrepancies
According to the guards, Kavango East education director Christine Shilima initially approved payments that started in September 2023.
“Each security guard received N$24 900. In 2024, some guards received an additional N$13 500,” the guard said, adding that not all guards received the full amounts they were entitled to, with some receiving less than N$5 000.
“When we approached the education office, we didn’t get proper answers. We don’t feel well. All we want is to be acknowledged and to understand that we are suffering too much. We need to be paid fairly so that we can take care of our families,” he said.
Efforts to resolve issue
The group also claimed to have repeatedly approached Shilima and the chief accountant Tuhafeni Hashoshange to resolve the payment issue. However, they were met with more delays.
“Hashoshange advised us to calculate the amounts due from 2020 to 2024. We did the calculations and submitted the figures. Shilima assured us that the money would be deposited into our accounts within a week or two. But we waited, and nothing happened,” the guard said.
“We went back to the director again in October and November. She expressed concern about our situation, stating, ‘You people are suffering,’ and referred us back to Hashoshange.”
Broken promises
The guards said Hashoshange initially claimed the calculations were missing but later acknowledged receiving them. He promised payments would be processed by the following week. Yet, to date, no payments have been made.
“We visited the radio station twice and provided our contact numbers to the staff. Despite these efforts, we have not received any follow-up or response. We even went to the station a third time,” another guard said.
Ministry’s response
In response to the guards’ complaints, Shilima told Namibian Sun that the ministry requires a detailed list of the guards to process the payments. “I must confirm with the schools that these are indeed the security guards who complained. The process involves asking the schools to verify whether the individuals worked at their institutions,” she said.
According to Shilima, the list had not been submitted to her office. “Without having their details in writing, it is impossible for me to move forward. I tried to contact Hashoshange, the chief accountant, but the guards need to provide the necessary data to prepare the submission,” she added, assuring the group that once the list is provided, she would issue instructions to her staff to process the payments.
Issue of Leave Days
On the issue of leave days, Shilima said the guards must prove they worked without taking any leave. “We have to summon the principals as witnesses. We cannot automatically request intervention from the executive director without a formal complaint to the Labour Commission,” she said.
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Speaking to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, the guards shared their frustration over what they describe as exploitative working conditions.
“No leave, no off days, no public holidays. We are working like slaves. I’m telling you the truth. We have been working for almost five years, and it’s taking a heavy toll on us,” one security guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Delays and empty promises
The guards said their efforts to secure fair payment have been met with confusion and delays. “We see other schools receiving their back pay, but we haven’t even received the pay for 2023 and 2024. We haven’t gotten anything,” the guard added.
The guards claim that regional education officials assured them that back pay would be processed. However, despite numerous follow-ups, the money has not been forthcoming.
Remaining discrepancies
According to the guards, Kavango East education director Christine Shilima initially approved payments that started in September 2023.
“Each security guard received N$24 900. In 2024, some guards received an additional N$13 500,” the guard said, adding that not all guards received the full amounts they were entitled to, with some receiving less than N$5 000.
“When we approached the education office, we didn’t get proper answers. We don’t feel well. All we want is to be acknowledged and to understand that we are suffering too much. We need to be paid fairly so that we can take care of our families,” he said.
Efforts to resolve issue
The group also claimed to have repeatedly approached Shilima and the chief accountant Tuhafeni Hashoshange to resolve the payment issue. However, they were met with more delays.
“Hashoshange advised us to calculate the amounts due from 2020 to 2024. We did the calculations and submitted the figures. Shilima assured us that the money would be deposited into our accounts within a week or two. But we waited, and nothing happened,” the guard said.
“We went back to the director again in October and November. She expressed concern about our situation, stating, ‘You people are suffering,’ and referred us back to Hashoshange.”
Broken promises
The guards said Hashoshange initially claimed the calculations were missing but later acknowledged receiving them. He promised payments would be processed by the following week. Yet, to date, no payments have been made.
“We visited the radio station twice and provided our contact numbers to the staff. Despite these efforts, we have not received any follow-up or response. We even went to the station a third time,” another guard said.
Ministry’s response
In response to the guards’ complaints, Shilima told Namibian Sun that the ministry requires a detailed list of the guards to process the payments. “I must confirm with the schools that these are indeed the security guards who complained. The process involves asking the schools to verify whether the individuals worked at their institutions,” she said.
According to Shilima, the list had not been submitted to her office. “Without having their details in writing, it is impossible for me to move forward. I tried to contact Hashoshange, the chief accountant, but the guards need to provide the necessary data to prepare the submission,” she added, assuring the group that once the list is provided, she would issue instructions to her staff to process the payments.
Issue of Leave Days
On the issue of leave days, Shilima said the guards must prove they worked without taking any leave. “We have to summon the principals as witnesses. We cannot automatically request intervention from the executive director without a formal complaint to the Labour Commission,” she said.
– [email protected]
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