The battle for the reemployment of 1,130 unemployed fishermen who lost their jobs eight years ago could be over soon.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, made the announcement during a media briefing at Walvis Bay.

These fishermen, who were previously employed by various fishing companies, lost their jobs as a result of their participation in an illegal strike.

Last year, Cabinet directed the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to issue a public call for competent companies that could offer permanent employment to these workers.

The President of the Namibia National Liberation Veterans Association (NNLVA), Ben Shikongo, has denied that there is a bitter battle between his association and the Former Plan Combatants Association (FPCA).

Shikongo refuted allegations made in a local newspaper by some members of his association that there was bad blood between the two organisations.

He alleged that the newspaper did not correctly reflect his opinion, and this is the reason he called a media conference as president of the NNLVA to defuse the misunderstanding.