By: Annakleta Haikera

Micke Du Preez, the owner of the Rundu Filling Station in the Kavango East, has placed himself and all the employees that allegedly took part in a flogging “game” on a 14-day suspension, pending an investigation.

In a letter seen by The Villager to Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, through his lawyers, Metcalfe Beukes, Du Preez condemned his actions, while stating that the matter will be placed in the hands of a reputable labour consultant who will investigate in an impartial manner.

This, his legal team says, is to “allow an unimpeded investigation Mr Du Preez has placed himself on suspension for a period of 14 days in order to allow the labour consultant free access in order to provide an appropriate recommendation. All other employees involved in this odious whipping ‘game’ will also be suspended for 14 days on full pay in order to facilitate investigation by the labour consultant who shall have full access to all such employees and all available video clips pertaining to the whipping ‘game’.”

In the meantime, Du Preez’s lawyers have advised him that he would not be liable to any criminal offence, as the matter is volenti non fit iniuria, meaning the employees willingly received the whipping.

Meanwhile, youth in the Kavango East have reacted with mixed emotions over the shutting down of the service station, with some arguing that it would not be ideal as it could lead to unemployment.

“I am not saying it’s right for a boss to flog his employees, but let’s look at it from a different angle, many people are employed at the service station. Where will they go if it is shut down? I am pleading with the Ministry of Labour in the region to hold hands and do a thorough investigation. The workers should be questioned one by one including the employer,” pleaded Jafet Pashu, a youth in the region.

The youth yesterday gathered at the Maria Mwengere Youth Centre to start a protest to close down the service station but when they reached the service station, Du Preez was reportedly in Windhoek.

The service station is still operating.

Michael Amushelelo told The Villager that, “sometimes our people don’t even realise that they are being oppressed. We still have many people being mentally enslaved and it is our duty to wake up our people so that they can emancipate themselves from mental slavery.”

Ellies Haingura, another activist in the region, called on Du Preez to pay the employees for the harm he caused.

“Such acts should not be tolerated in the country, someone’s pain should be everybody’s pain. I don’t understand why some youth think that this is just a game while in reality we all know that no one can play with their bosses like these workers claim.”

Meanwhile, Jaco Willem, one of the workers who was allegedly flogged for loans, resigned on Tuesday and opened a case against the employer on Wednesday at the Rundu Police Station.