Hertta-maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation has assigned an inspector to investigate the death of Abel Ashiyana Kayembo, a Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) employee who was electrocuted while on duty at Yinsu Village in Kavango West Region on Monday.
The ministry also engaged NORED and the Electricity Control Board (ECB) to jointly conduct the investigation.
NORED spokesperson, Simon Lukas confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to Kayembo’s family.
He said the company has appointed an external industry expert to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
“This incident will remain a painful reminder of the critical responsibility we bear on safety awareness and upholding the highest safety standards,” he said.
The company did not respond to questions about existing safety protocols, whether Kayembo had standard safety gear, or when the last inspection was conducted in the area.
Lydia Indombo, the executive director of the labour ministry, said every employer has a legal duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace free from occupational hazards that could lead to injuries, diseases, or death.
She explained that the ECB regulates the electricity sector, including licensing inspectors for power line installations and maintenance, while the ministry monitors compliance with workplace safety regulations under the Labour Act of 2007.
“In case of fatal accidents in the electricity sector, an intensive joint investigation must be conducted to determine the root cause of the accident,” Indombo said.
She added that if negligence is found, a report will be sent to the Office of the Prosecutor General for further action.
Kayembo’s death is the third NORED employee fatality in recent years.
Ananias Iyambo, 36, was electrocuted while on duty in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, in February 2024.
In April 2022, Thomas Shikomba, 34, fell from an electric pole while removing wires in Okahao and succumbed to his injuries.
Following these incidents, the Ministry of Labour conducted workplace inspections and found that while the industry complies with health and safety legislation, human factors such as failure to follow procedures or verify power shutdowns were common causes of accidents.
The ministry recommended regular on-the-job training, continuous professional development, and daily safety briefings to mitigate risks.
Safety, environment an health consultant, Immanuel Costa previously urged NORED and other electricity distributors to enhance their safety measures.
He recommended implementing detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), rigorous Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures, and mandatory safety training sessions to prevent further fatalities.
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), under which NORED employees fall, declined to comment and referred queries to the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU).
MANWU has not responded yet.
Last year, MUN General Secretary, George Ampweya called for stricter measures in the Occupational Safety and Health Bill to protect workers.
He said that there are no strict regulations in place to hold employers accountable when employee safety is at risk.
“Inspectors only visit sites after incidents occur, instead of conducting regular supervision,” Ampweya said at the time.
He also pointed out that smaller mining operations, particularly those owned by Chinese companies, have failed to comply with safety laws.
