Katima mulilo: Security guards from various firms staged a peaceful demonstration at Katima Mulilo on Thursday to demand higher wages and an end to alleged labour exploitation. Organised by the Namibia Public Security and Allied Workers Union (Napsawu), the guards marched through the town centre to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the demonstrators presented a two-page petition outlining several grievances, primarily focusing on the failure of employers to adhere to the national minimum wage. Reading the petition, Siglinde Diocotlhe emphasised that guards must be paid the gazetted rate of N.dollars 16 per hour starting this month. She noted that most guards are currently receiving less than N.dollars 13.50 per hour, which is below the legal requirement.

'We need to be paid public holidays and Sundays. We are also requesting the tender board to not award tenders to security companies who are tendering on low rates...' Diocotlhe read. The guards argued that low-cost tenders directly result in the underpayment of staff and a lack of provided uniforms.

The union has called for a formal meeting with labour inspectors and requested that the Anti-Corruption Commission investigate alleged irregularities within the industry. Caster Yetu Kamana, chairperson of the organising committee for the demonstration, gave the Ministry of Labour one week to respond to the petition. Kamana stated that failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead the workers to regroup and take unspecified further action.

The petition was received by Lorna Shalyefu, the acting administration head at the regional labour office, who said she would forward the grievances to the Office of the Executive Director for labour matters. The protest saw participation from employees representing several major firms, including Nahole Security Services, Shilimela, Njangula, BM, Splash, and Chief Nangolo Security Services.