Katima Mulilo:Over 60 employees of the Zambezi Meat Corporation (ZAMCO) staged a peaceful protest during their lunch hour on Thursday, urging the government to address their grievances related to two months of unpaid salaries, job insecurity, and the breakdown of operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the workers submitted a petition to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, requesting the appointment of a capable and reliable operator to manage the abattoir. ZAMCO took over operations from the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) on June 30, 2026, following a five-year mandate by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Land Reform meant to equip ZAMCO for independent management.

Employees expressed that since the handover, management and operations have deteriorated, leading to severe financial difficulties for staff. Shop steward Patrick Munembo, while presenting the petition, emphasized that the issue transcends financial figures, highlighting the impact on human dignity and the necessity for government intervention to secure competent management for the facility.

The workers, who initially anticipated stability and fairness with ZAMCO's leadership, now face operational disruptions, unfulfilled promises, and unpaid wages. They called for immediate action from the Office of the Prime Minister to address outstanding salaries and benefits, conduct financial and payroll audits, appoint a new operator, enforce labor laws, ensure worker representation, and maintain transparency.

The employees welcomed government plans to dispatch a delegation but urged for direct engagement with the affected staff. Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi received the petition and promised to relay it to the Prime Minister's Office.