Eight employees of Shipi FM in Ondangwa went on a solidarity strike after Gustaf ‘DJ Gee’ Sheehama was let go by the radio station on Wednesday.

Sheehama said he was given his termination of contract letter after concluding his day shift on Wednesday without any warning or disciplinary hearing.

This resulted in the radio presenters going on strike in solidarity with their colleague, who they said was fired unfairly.

The radio has since midnight been off following a power shutdown in Ondangwa, and into Thursday, presenters had not returned to work.

Shipi FM, established in 2016, has already seen 11 employees being fired allegedly for raising their grievances with the radio’s founder, Martin Shipanga.

Sheehama is known for his ‘Penduka noShipi’ and ‘Ongendjo’ programmes and has worked with the radio station for eight years.

Speaking to Nampa, Sheehama said he got no explanation for why he was fired and has not been given any warning on his supposed conduct.

“The unfair dismissal of people is unacceptable, we are no longer free to demand for better working conditions and salary increment. It is not fair and I have not seen such an act before where someone gets fired on no grounds,” he said.

In a letter dated 30 August 2023, the presenters indicated that they were shocked and saddened by the “unfair dismissal” of their colleague, DJ Gee.

“We really would like to know the reason behind his dismissal, just like we indicated that we are no longer going to accept unfair dismissals with no valid reasons,” read the letter.

Approached for comment, Shipanga indicated that Sheehama was not fired but retrenched, and it was done with the purpose of the restructuring of the company and an attempt to cut costs.

He dismissed the claim that the retrenchment of Sheehama followed demands for better working conditions and a salary increment.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency