NTTU to raise funds for legal fees

WINDHOEK, 12 JUN – The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) is organising a fundraising event which will assist the union to get funds needed to pay for its legal fees.
Last month, the union threated to take legal action against the government, shortly after the meeting between Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa and the public transport sector failed to meet the union’s demands or expectations.
In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, NTTU president, Werner Januarie said despite financial challenges, the union is ready to take on the government.
“We are ready to take up this challenge and even if we are the only union who are going to speak about these issues, nothing will hamper our progress,” he said.
Januarie maintained that the Transport Act of 1977 is void and unconstitutional and should be declared as that as it currently only makes provision for Government transport and not public transport.
He called for interventions for this act and in the matter of high traffic fines.
“The NNTU has for the past seven to 10 years been fighting for the transporters’ rights and now we are no longer going to waste our time demonstrating and striking, we are just going to act.”
Januarie also highlighted how adamant the union and its members are on the 50 per cent taxi fare increment, confirming that they did indeed address a letter to the ministry, making these demands.
He also revealed plans of a meeting to be held on Sunday during which various issues, including the specifics of the fundraising event, will be discussed.
“One of the aims of the meeting would also be to provide feedback from the meeting between the union and the ministry to the taxi drivers as well as to highlight the way forward with regard with the court case,” the NTTU president said.
(NAMPA)