Disgruntled workers of Karasburg Town Council are discontent over the state of affairs, which they say has created an unconducive working environment.

The workers, under the banner of the Namibia Public Workers Union, staged a demonstration over the manner in which the councillors are running the council's affairs.

They demanded immediate reversal of what they called the "illegal appointment" of acting CEO Hansina Isaak and security guards and a salary increase.

Employees also claimed bullying, victimisation, and intimidation at the council.

Karasburg Town Council's shop steward Anthony Ortman says, "We, the Karasburg Town Council employees, don't know to whom we should report because the council, without the line ministerial approval, appointed Ms. Hansina Isaak as acting CEO, while the line ministry maintains that the substantive CEO, Mr. Nico Titus, be re-instated and maintain his position. The working environment has become very unconducive, and we don't know who is who between the acting CEO, Ms. Hansina Isaak, and the substantive CEO."

Employees have given the Council until October 27 to respond favourably or take full responsibility for its actions. 

"I will receive this petition on behalf of Karasburg Town Council since our mayor cannot because of the court case. We hear your demands. There is a deadline, as you said before, on October 27. Because there are demands, we have to adhere to them because workers are speaking," says Karasburg Town Councillor Josef Witbooi.

Recently, Isaak, Mayor of Karasburg Maria Veldskoen, and council management were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission on corruption charges related to the illegal appointments at council and for changing the council's banking signatory rights.

Each of them was released on bail of N$1,000.