Africa-Press – Namibia. The leadership wrangle within the Namibia Security Workers Union (Naswu) has spilled into the High Court, where the union, represented by its president, Michael Amushelelo, is seeking a declaration that its June extraordinary congress and subsequent elections were valid and binding.
In court documents filed in August the union, through Amushelelo, cites former secretary general Joseph Mikka, former administrator Eveline Kambinda, former deputy secretary general Miguel Paulus, former national director Natangwe Ndeulita, and founder Stephanus Haitta as defendants.
According to the union’s particulars of claim, the five were lawfully removed from their positions following the extraordinary congress held on 28 June, which elected Amushelelo as president, Katrin Mates as vice president, Selma Shangheta as secretary general, and David Frans as deputy secretary general.
The union is asking the court to declare the June elections valid to confirm that Mikka, Kambinda, Paulus, Ndeulita and Haitta are no longer lawful office bearers and to compel them to hand over the union’s assets, documents, and financial records to the new management.
However, Mikka in an interview on Sunday last week, dismissed the lawsuit and described the extraordinary congress as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“They (Amushelelo, Shangheta and Frans) made their own extraordinary congress which is illegal. Amushelelo just applied for the union but was never given a certificate of registration. If you don’t have that certificate, you don’t have the right to operate,” Mikka said.
“I am the rightful and legitimate secretary general. They went behind my back to hold a congress and elect new leadership. It was illegal and should be null and void,” he said.
Mikka said only the secretary general can convene a central committee meeting to decide on holding a congress.
He added that allegations that he withdrew labour cases are false.
“They claim I withdrew cases from the labour commissioner. I asked them to present me with the case numbers but up to now, they have not presented me with any,” Mikka said.
The leadership fight follows a 9 June petition by Naswu members accusing Mikka of misconduct and collusion with employers, prompting the call for the extraordinary congress.
Responding, Amushelelo maintained that the June congress was legitimate and member driven.
“The workers voted, and unfortunately, the group of Mikka was voted out in absentia because they failed to attend. They are now clinging onto the union’s offices and bank accounts,” said Amushelelo.
The matter is before the High Court and the case is postponed to tomorrow for a hearing.
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