Former employees of Omle Security Services in Outjo claim they were replaced without notice after reporting for duty earlier this month.

Omle Security Services has been guarding schools in the Kunene Region. 

According to the group of 15, they arrived at work on the first of this month only to discover that other security guards had taken over their positions. 

The now-former Omle employees say when they questioned their supervisor about the matter, they were simply informed that they had been replaced without any prior warning or explanation.

Former employee Jeffry !Auchab stated, "We did not receive any notice or sufficient warning that we would be replaced by others. Dear Minister, the individuals who have taken our positions are neither from the Kunene region nor from Outjo, where unemployment is already a significant issue. How is it that they brought in people from Oshana to replace us, the unemployed youth of Outjo?"

They suspect their replacement could be linked to a labour dispute they opened against their employer last year over allegations of underpayment and unlawful labour practices. 

The group further alleges that they are still waiting for their severance packages, including money they claim is owed to them since last year.

"Leave days' payments since the time everyone started with immediate effect. We have been waiting for so long for this day, and we can't wait any longer. We have been fired with no notice, and so we want all our money before the 31st of May 2026."

Contacted for comment, Omle Security Services owner, Festus Nakanyala, says his company's contract expired.

Nakanyala said six more security companies came on board, resulting in his workforce being reduced from 198 guards to only 28 employees.

Although he argues that the intended termination of contracts had been communicated to his employees, the former employee still maintains that there was no communication. 

Nakanyala also dismissed claims that his employees were paid below the minimum wage, saying his workers earned N$16 per hour.

The group is calling on the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations to intervene in the matter.