Stripped employee sues for N$500K
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
A former employee of a Chinese shop in Windhoek - who was forced to strip off her uniform in public by her former boss last month - is suing for N$500 000 for the humiliation and degrading of her dignity.
Itakeya George (24) on Friday filed a lawsuit at the Windhoek High Court demanding N$500 000 compensation from her former employer, Li Bailong. She is represented by her lawyer Henry Shimutwikeni.
Li, a Chinese national, was arrested on 8 November, two days after he allegedly dismissed George and forced her to take off her uniform in full view of fellow staff members and customers at his fabric store in Windhoek’s China Town.
He faces a charge of crimen injuria and is currently out on N$1 000 bail.
“By forcing the plaintiff to undress and cover herself in a piece of fabric in full view of the defendant, staff members and customers and refusing her to leave unless she complied, the defendant intentionally and wrongfully infringed the dignity of the plaintiff by treating the plaintiff in a degrading, humiliating and ignominious manner,” the combined summons read.
“The plaintiff suffered damages as a result thereof in the amount of N$500 000.”
Public outcry
The incident drew widespread condemnation from the public, and led to members of the Affirmative Reposition movement closing down the shop.
Swapo’s women’s council and youth league made calls for Li to be deported, while the former said the forced stripping was an act of humiliation and displayed a lack of respect.
The council called on the Chinese national to be declared ‘persona non grata’ not only in Namibia, but all African Union member states.
[email protected]
RUNDU
A former employee of a Chinese shop in Windhoek - who was forced to strip off her uniform in public by her former boss last month - is suing for N$500 000 for the humiliation and degrading of her dignity.
Itakeya George (24) on Friday filed a lawsuit at the Windhoek High Court demanding N$500 000 compensation from her former employer, Li Bailong. She is represented by her lawyer Henry Shimutwikeni.
Li, a Chinese national, was arrested on 8 November, two days after he allegedly dismissed George and forced her to take off her uniform in full view of fellow staff members and customers at his fabric store in Windhoek’s China Town.
He faces a charge of crimen injuria and is currently out on N$1 000 bail.
“By forcing the plaintiff to undress and cover herself in a piece of fabric in full view of the defendant, staff members and customers and refusing her to leave unless she complied, the defendant intentionally and wrongfully infringed the dignity of the plaintiff by treating the plaintiff in a degrading, humiliating and ignominious manner,” the combined summons read.
“The plaintiff suffered damages as a result thereof in the amount of N$500 000.”
Public outcry
The incident drew widespread condemnation from the public, and led to members of the Affirmative Reposition movement closing down the shop.
Swapo’s women’s council and youth league made calls for Li to be deported, while the former said the forced stripping was an act of humiliation and displayed a lack of respect.
The council called on the Chinese national to be declared ‘persona non grata’ not only in Namibia, but all African Union member states.
[email protected]
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