Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The High Court has ordered the former Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) chairperson for Swakopmund, Milton Augumeb, to retract defamatory statements he made about the leadership of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN).
On 25 November, the court also instructed Augumeb, who had claimed that the union’s leadership was in crisis and that the national executive committee (NEC) was involved in the misappropriation of funds, to issue a public apology.
Augumeb was also ordered to unconditionally retract the said defamatory statement.
In addition, he must issue a public apology for the aforementioned defamatory statements within 14 days.
Augumeb was also restrained from making any further defamatory comments about MUN’s leadership.
Augumeb’s public apology, dated 25 November 2024, stated, “I hereby unconditionally retract the statements I made alleging that the leadership of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) is in a crisis and that the National Executive Committee is linked to the misappropriation of union funds.”
He also expressed regret, acknowledging the harm caused to MUN’s reputation and offering a sincere apology.
“I deeply regret any harm or damage they may have caused to the reputation of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia and its leadership.”
The court also ordered Augumeb to cover the costs of the application for one lawyer.
Augumeb’s allegations had sparked internal tensions within the MUN, following claims on social media about inflated renovation quotations for the union’s Arandis office.
The union refuted the allegations in a statement on 19 September 2024, clarifying that the NEC approved the renovations and they were part of a larger initiative to improve MUN’s infrastructure.
“The renovations had already started and were part of a broader effort by the new leadership to improve the union’s infrastructure,” said George Ampweya, MUN’s secretary general.
The court order follows Augumeb’s previous statements, in which he had accused the NEC of corruption. MUN responded by stating that the allegations were “devoid of fact” and “lacking in integrity.”
The union explained that the renovations had been planned long before the fitness inspection by the Arandis Town Council in April 2024, which highlighted deficiencies such as missing fire extinguishers and damaged signage.
