Discontent is mounting among disgruntled Pupkewitz Megabuild employees in Oshakati where workers are accusing the branch manager, Kobus Meuwesen, of poor management skills and a lack of consideration when it comes to internal appointments and promotions.

In a grievance letter seen by Informanté, the employees demand the replacement of the branch manager, Meuwesen, with someone who is “mature, willing and dedicated” in order to make a successful difference to the branch. They fear that if no action is taken to remedy the situation, the business could be run into the ground and its good reputation would be something of the past. “Our management is poor and weak. We have a shortage of staff and more of them have been resigning since last year. About seven employees have resigned so far due to poor management,” the letter reads. It further stated that employees are not promoted when internal vacancies are advertised; instead people from outside the company are appointed. “A new salesperson has been appointed recently without any computer and product knowledge. It is now our duty to help this person identify the products and for what purpose? Why is this practice being enforced, while the appointed person is earning a higher salary than us? That is nonsense,” the letter further stated. According to the grievance letter, many regular customers are no longer buying from the branch, but instead go to different companies. One of the contributing factors to this alleged desertion of the business is that customers’ items are not delivered on time. The workers allege that sometimes delivery is delayed for up to three days. Approached for comment Meuwesen declined to say anything, but referred Informanté to the Pupkewitz Megabuild Head office in Windhoek. Jan Gallagher, the Joint Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the M. Pupkewitz & Sons Megabuild responded thus:
“The company’s policies and procedures make provision for an aggrieved employee to register a grievance with the company’s General Manager: Human Resources, who then has the responsibility to investigate the matter and report on the findings. In the event that ‘prima facie’ evidence exists pointing to possible misconduct, a comprehensive investigation is commissioned in line with company’s industrial relations policy. To date, no grievance has been registered by any employee of the said branch, in support of the alleged claims.”