Christof Maletsky
6 June 2008
Windhoek — TWO unions representing staff at the University of Namibia have called on the institution to drop the charges against two academics who are involved in politics.
Unam notified Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua and Swanu secretary general Dr Tangeni Iijambo earlier this week that they would face four disciplinary charges next week after they refused to resign as heads of the party.
The Unam branches of the Namibia Public Workers' Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers' Union (Nantu) said in a joint statement yesterday that participation in politics was entrenched in the country's Constitution as a basic human right to freedom of association and expression.
"Based on these human rights, the unions strongly question the legality of Unam's policy (against politicking of staff members) and appeal to Namibia's lawmakers to declare null and void any organisational policy that infringes on human rights in this country," the statement said.
They said Unam couldn't take any disciplinary action until the legality of the policy was verified by the judicial authorities.
They claimed Unam had refused to engage in dialogue with the unions on behalf of Maamberua and Iijambo.
"Failure to exhaust all internal mechanisms to resolve the issue is viewed by the two unions as prejudicing the outcome of the formal grievance registered and undermines the good labour relations," they said.
Five days after their election as party office bearers, the two received a letter from Unam informing them that they could not be involved in active politics while working there.
They have vowed to defend themselves against the disciplinary action.
Swanu's former president Dr Rihupisa Kandando said Unam's Council had no powers to discipline the two for their involvement in politics.
Unam's human resources office informed them that they had transgressed their conditions of employment by addressing public rallies of Swanu, accepted the positions and twice failed to resign when instructed to do so.
Late last year Unam informed some staff members who held party office that it had a policy banning this.
As a result, the Swapo Youth League withdrew its secretary for information, Charles Siyauya, from active leadership.
Unam spokesperson Utaara Hoveka said the policy on campus politics only regulated the involvement of administrative and academic staff and did not cover students.
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