Katima mulilo: Nearly two weeks after security guards from multiple firms staged a peaceful demonstration in Katima Mulilo to protest alleged labour exploitation and demand higher wages, they are yet to receive a formal response to their petition.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Caster Yetu Kamana, the chairperson of the organising committee for the 22 January 2026 demonstration, confirmed that they are yet to receive a response. Kamana mentioned, "I can confirm that there has been no formal response to our petition. However, we met on 26 January to contemplate on the way forward regarding our plight."

Kamana stated that most of the guards are yet to receive their December/January salaries, which were due on 15 January 2026. He warned that failure to receive salaries during the course of this week could lead to the affected guards regrouping and taking unspecified action.

The demonstration, organised by the Namibia Public Security and Allied Workers Union (Napsawu), saw guards march through the town centre to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations on 22 January. The demonstrators urged employers to adhere to the national minimum wage and emphasized in their petition that they should be paid the gazetted rate of N.dollars 16 per hour starting from December last year.

The guards reported receiving less than N.dollars 13.50 per hour and not being remunerated for work on public holidays and Sundays. They also called for a formal meeting with labour inspectors and requested an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission into alleged irregularities within the industry.

Their petition was received by labour inspector Lorna Shalyefu, who was acting administration head at the district labour office at that time. Shalyefu assured that the grievances would be forwarded to the Office of the Executive Director for labour matters. Contacted for comment, Shalyefu explained that procedurally, her office forwards all matters to the regional office in Rundu, which then channels all relevant matters to head office in Windhoek.

Shalyefu noted that the Executive Director responsible for labour matters is attending to the guards' petition, although it did not specify which companies are affected or provide the names and contact details of group representatives. Several guards employed by major firms, including Nahole Security Services, Shilimela, Njangula, BM, Splash, and Chief Nangolo Security Services, participated in the demonstration.