Amushelelo kicks off year with criminal case
• ‘Retirement from activism won’t stop me’
"Craft Bistro will remain closed until the racist Germans decide to have a meeting with their workers and sort out this matter," Amushelelo wrote in a social media post.
Elizabeth JosephWINDHOEK
A case has been opened against Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) activist Michael Amushelelo after he demonstrated with Craft Bistro employees who claim they are treated inhumanely.
He revealed that the owners of the Tal Street restaurant, Urs Gamma and Petra Illing, opened the case against him. He added that even though he has “retired” from activism, that doesn’t mean he won’t help fight for the rights of exploited workers.
According to an employee who wishes to remain anonymous, staff members are mistreated and made to work long hours without being paid.
“Payments are being held back and the workers are not allowed to take tips, which now have to go to the owners.
“When we were employed, financial promises were made, but now when we work overtime and the owners see it’s a lot, they cut it,” she said.
According to employees, they work Sundays but are not paid for it. Furthermore, they claim that since the bistro’s inception in late 2021, the owners have refused to listen to and resolve issues raised.
Taking a step back
“I’m just a human being. As much as I try to hide my feelings, I feel obliged to act when I get disheartening calls. People who are unable to fight for themselves literally beg you to help. I am not saying I’m back,” Amushelelo said of his ‘retirement’.
He added that people should not abuse the fact that his party is taking a step back to misuse and exploit workers. The employees’ story moved his heart and he felt compelled to do something, he said.
“Craft Bistro will remain closed until the racist Germans decide to have a meeting with their workers and sort out this matter.
“I will not relent until this matter is resolved,” he wrote in a social media post.
When contacted, the owners refused to comment “because it is a criminal case”.
A case has been opened against Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) activist Michael Amushelelo after he demonstrated with Craft Bistro employees who claim they are treated inhumanely.
He revealed that the owners of the Tal Street restaurant, Urs Gamma and Petra Illing, opened the case against him. He added that even though he has “retired” from activism, that doesn’t mean he won’t help fight for the rights of exploited workers.
According to an employee who wishes to remain anonymous, staff members are mistreated and made to work long hours without being paid.
“Payments are being held back and the workers are not allowed to take tips, which now have to go to the owners.
“When we were employed, financial promises were made, but now when we work overtime and the owners see it’s a lot, they cut it,” she said.
According to employees, they work Sundays but are not paid for it. Furthermore, they claim that since the bistro’s inception in late 2021, the owners have refused to listen to and resolve issues raised.
Taking a step back
“I’m just a human being. As much as I try to hide my feelings, I feel obliged to act when I get disheartening calls. People who are unable to fight for themselves literally beg you to help. I am not saying I’m back,” Amushelelo said of his ‘retirement’.
He added that people should not abuse the fact that his party is taking a step back to misuse and exploit workers. The employees’ story moved his heart and he felt compelled to do something, he said.
“Craft Bistro will remain closed until the racist Germans decide to have a meeting with their workers and sort out this matter.
“I will not relent until this matter is resolved,” he wrote in a social media post.
When contacted, the owners refused to comment “because it is a criminal case”.
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