Parking marshals return to work amid deductions stand-off

The 23 parking marshals of Keyplots Investments (KPI), who downed tools after N$1 500 has allegedly been deducted from their salaries illegally, have returned to work.

KPI, which manages the Windhoek municipality’s parking collection, has deducted at least N$1 500 from their salaries of N$2 500 per month. One of the workers yesterday said the group members have returned to their designated duty areas.

“We are back at work while they look into it,” the worker, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, said. Meanwhile, the City of Windhoek has distanced itself from the issue.

“They are the responsibility of KPI. KPI employs them and pays their salaries,” municipality’s spokesperson Harold Akwenye said yesterday. KPI is fully owned by United Africa Group, which is co-owned by former Swapo member of parliament Martha Namundjebo- Tilahun.

On Monday, KPI operations manager David Angula confirmed that deductions have been made from the group, adding the employees have signed an acknowledgement of this. “We have inspectors on site who ensure everybody gets their breaks. It is unfortunate they can’t all get the 13h00 lunch break at the same time. “They are divided into shifts, which allows them to get breaks,” he said, responding to one of the workers’ complaints.

Angula said warnings are issued before an employee is dismissed, according to the company’s policies. He said the amounts deducted depended on how much money went missing during individual workers’ shifts. “They stole the company’s money and have acknowledged it, that’s why their salaries have been deducted [sic].”

The group of 23 parking marshals said it is not the first time money is deducted from their salaries. Amounts deducted in December ranged from N$200 to N$600, while this increased to between N$1500 and N$1 700 in January, they said.