THE split in the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) could “tremendously” weaken the union, says labour expert Herbert Jauch.

The union emerged divided after the special Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting that was to decide on the fate of NUNW secretary general Evilastus Kaaronda, with three affiliated unions walking out when Alfred Angula was voted in as acting deputy secretary general.
Workers on Saturday petitioned the NUNW leadership to implement a congress resolution to deal decisively on the GIPF Development Capital Portfolio (DCP) missing millions, and to stop harassment of Kaaronda.
The workers also expressed a vote of no confidence in the general secretary of the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu), Petrus Nevonga.
The petition further called for an extraordinary congress to deal with the apparent leadership crisis in the NUNW and its affiliates.
Not all were happy with the petition, though. The chairperson of the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) in the Oshikoto Region, Thomas Niilongo, urged its members not to sign the petition as it had not gone through the union’s structures.
“Failure to work together in the interest of the organisation means that members will continue to operate in camps,” said Jauch. “At the moment it seems as if the NUNW is disintegrating. In the short term I do not see the resolution of divisions. For the long term, it might mean a fresh congress where a new leadership is determined.”
Jauch said the past NUNW congress should have removed the provision of associate membership to eliminate the problem of conflict of interest as is considered through the presence of Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Peter Ilonga and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Loide Kasingo, at the weekend CEC meeting.
But former trade unionist and opposition Member of Parliament Ben Ulenga was of the opinion that power and division are not the main issues at play, but that it rather boils down to accountability of public affairs, and not opposing views on the matter.
He questioned union representation on the board of trustees of the GIPF, if those elected to the board do not give full account to the trade union membership.
“A genuine Namibian citizen or trade union member should be on the side of accountability,” said Ulenga.
The Congress of Democrats (CoD) president further said that the Swapo Party’s secretary general, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, should have clearly come out to state the party’s position on the unaccounted GIPF DCP money, “so that Swapo can come clean” on the matter.
Ulenga was of the view that the trade union leadership is scared to say anything that might be perceived to be countering a Swapo position.
And in the case of the GIPF saga, said Ulenga, the Swapo Party must say where it is on the matter.
“If Swapo ministers are involved, then the only responsible thing is for Swapo to condemn their actions without beating around the bush,” said Ulenga.
Former trade union leader and Safland director Ranga Haikali said it is pitiable that workers are divided on an issue of which they do not have clarity on, with allegations of wrongdoing being made without any proof offered.
“GIPF members are saying money is lost, and it is within their right to be given the facts of what happened. The issue can only be cleared if the facts are put on the table as to where the money was invested.”
He said the DCP matter has been handed to the judiciary, and that the law should take its course on the matter.
“There should not be a trial by the media. The Office of the Prime Minister said it is busy compiling charges. The NUNW congress resolution is being implemented, so why the fuss?” said Haikali.
Haikali, who had been given a loan under the DCP, and again as director of Safland with which the GIPF recently signed a N$450 million investment agreement, however felt that the issues are being personalised, adding that NGOs and other organisations are jumping on the bandwagon to implicate him, Nevonga, and others.
“Who are the workers asking about this? Are these true and legitimate [trade union] structures?” Haikali questioned.
“The union must just be a union whose only priority is the workers’ interests. But if we want to protect certain individuals, there is bound to be division,” said Kaaronda.
He said the union ought to have been bold enough to ask Nevonga to step aside until the DCP matter is resolved.
This, he said, would not imply that Nevonga is guilty of any wrongdoing, but would allow for a credible process.
He was doubtful if unity can be addressed without addressing personal differences on the GIPF issue.
“How do you expect Kaaronda and Nevonga to be on the same page on the congress decision?” he wondered, but added that personal interests should be set aside to bring the organisation closer to addressing workers’ interests.
The issue of good standing has also been raised with only one affiliate – the Mineworkers’ Union – fully paid up with the NUNW, but Kaaronda said exemptions are being made towards those not paid up.