‘Citizen’ Dharani defends N$1.5m Swapo donation, denies exploiting workers

Indian-born businessman and owner of the Rani group of companies, Ali Dharani - who has been accused of paying his workers as little as N$1 200 per month - says he is a Namibian citizen and was therefore fully entitled to making a N$1.5 million donation towards Swapo’s election campaign at a fundraising gala last week.

His generous donation was met with disapproval by some, who accused the wealthy businessman of ‘buying face’ with Swapo in order to cover up alleged exploitation at his companies, which has been widely reported in the media.

“The donation of N$1.5 million by Rani Group shows you how the ruling party has been accommodating those who exploit fellow Namibians. People are working in terrible working conditions, they are extremely underpaid, but if their employers can make million-dollar donations to a political party that is governing the country, how do you expect the same government to fight for the interests of the people who are suffering? It’s pathetic,” a source who opted to remain anonymous said.



Govt ‘turning blind eye’

In a petition last December, Dharani’s employees said they earn between N$1 200 and N$1 400 per month, and are expected to work seven days a week with no overtime for Sunday shifts.

“They said our salary is fixed, but if you go on leave, you only receive half of your salary,” employee Cornelius Nepela said at the time.

The employees, who last year turned to the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) for intervention, said they are being underpaid because the Rani Group is in bed with Swapo, whose government has turned a blind eye to their suffering.



‘Cleared of wrongdoing’

Speaking to Namibian Sun this week, Dharani said he does not exploit workers, and multiple investigations by government ministries have cleared him of any wrongdoing.

The Swapo fundraising event last Friday raised N$16 million in pledges ahead of the 27 November elections. At that fundraising event, the Rani Group pledged N$1.5 million.

Dharani told Namibian Sun that he has been supporting the ruling party since 2005, hence his decision to make the pledge, adding that it is not the first time he is donating money to Swapo.

According to him, the donation is not aimed at getting contracts or tenders from the government, but to ensure that the country is led by the best candidate and party.



Free will

“To the people who are criticising, are we breaking any laws in the country?” he wanted to know.

“If there's any complaints or anything, the people are investigating. Ministry of labour has investigated us [the Rani Group], ministry of trade has investigated us. We didn't break any laws in the country,” Dharani said.

“It is the free will of every Namibian to support a political party; I am a Namibian citizen. Why must anybody be questioned for supporting the party of his choice? It is in the constitution of Namibia that I can be associated with any party that I wish to. Why am I being singled out for supporting the party I want to support?” the businessman asked.

“The electoral college is to choose the best leader out of the best. Is it not good for the country to be led by the best leader? If we are supporting, as a business community, to choose the best leader who will rule us or who will guide the policies for the next five years, it is in the best interest of the country.”



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