By Marx Itamalo |
Darius Shaalukeni, the mayor of the northern and border town of Helao Nafidi, says his office is going to investigate claims that security guards from Omambudu Security Services are confiscating goods belonging to Namibians who are selling at designated places in the town.
These items were allegedly bought in Namibian shops.
He said this, in a telephonic interview, with this publication this week.
According to Shaalukeni, his office had in the past been flooded with complaints from members of the public and residents of the town regarding the conduct of security guards from the company.
The company recently secured a tender to provide security related services in the town. However, there has been an outcry from the residents, who accuse guards from the company of confiscating items bought from Namibian shops.
“I am personally going to take this up with the company management. Their mandate is only to confiscate goods which were sourced from Angola and did not pass through the designate point which is the border gate. However, confiscating goods bought in Namibia is totally wrong,” he said.
He added that all Namibian citizens in the border town have the right to purchase goods from Namibian shops and resell for a profit at any designated or licenced place in the town.
“We have the omatala (open market), that is where everyone is expected to sell their merchandise. However, we have other places people with licences are allowed to trade with their merchandise and we don’t expect these people to be disturbed.”
A vendor who spoke to this publication this week, said she had her stock of potatoes, cabbage and tomatoes confiscated by security guards when she was found selling at the entrance of a retail shop.
“These goods were procured from a shop in the town which is selling fresh produce. We buy in bulk from the shop and we then resell in small packages at the entrance of the shop,” she said.
“The owner has given us permission to sell there and we have our licences from the town council to do that.
“They accused me of having bought the goods from Angola and that I passed through an ungazetted point which is not true.”
She stressed that although she tried providing proof of purchase, the guards could not listen to her.
Any merchandise and items confiscated from the vendors is typically taken to the dumpsite where it is destroyed. However, there are accusations that security guards on many occasions keep the goods for their own benefit and use.
Our efforts to obtain comment from the company, proved futile at the time of publishing this story.
In the photo: Helao Nafidi Mayor Darius Shaalukeni.
