Answer grounded in published legislation
Your question
So can I fire someone just because I don't like their work anymore?
No. “I do not like their work anymore” is not, by itself, a stated valid and fair reason for dismissal. Under section 33 of the Labour Act, dismissal is unfair if it is without a valid and fair reason or without a fair procedure. 2
For a local-authority employee, the regulations identify grounds such as misconduct, continuing ill health or unfitness, redundancy or reorganisation, and unsatisfactory service during a trial appointment. They do not generally authorise dismissal merely because the employer dislikes the employee’s work. 1 Because the Labour Act is an Act and the regulations are subordinate legislation, section 33 controls if there is any inconsistency. 2
Verified sources
Where this answer comes from
Cited source
services of an employer may be terminated by the council - (a) on account of continuing bad health or illness or continuing unfitness for work; (b) on account of the abolition of his post or any reduction in or reorganisation or rearrangement of departments or posts on the fixed establishment; (c) on account of misconduct; (d) in the case of an employee appointed on trial, if his services are unsatisfactory; or in the case of an employee appointed temporarily, for any reason deemed sufficient by the council. (2) Subject to the provisions of section 148(4) and (6) of the ordinance, the services of an employee appointed permanently or on trial may, in the cases mentioned in subregulation (1),...
Cited source
(a) without a valid and fair reason; and (b) without following - (i) the procedures set out in section 34, if the dismissal arises from a reason set out in section 34 (1); or (ii) subject to any code of good practice issued under section 137, a fair procedure, in any other case. (2) It is unfair to dismiss an employee because the employee - (a) discloses information that the employee is entitled or required to disclose to another person; (b) fails or refuses to do anything that an employer must not lawfully permit or require an employee to do; (c) exercises any right conferred by - (i) this Act; or (ii) the terms of the contract of employment or collective agreement; (d) belongs, or has belo...
Cited source
with the necessary changes, apply to all other forms of disciplinary action against an employee by an employer. (2) Disciplinary action taken against an employee in contravention of section 33 constitutes an unfair labour practice. Employee and trade union unfair labour practices
Namibia Central Intelligence Service Act 10 of 1997-Regulations 1998-118
5. Discharge or reduction in rank or grade of staff members on account of inefficiency
Cited source
(3) When an employee is found guilty of misconduct and he is not dismissed the council, in the case of a town clerk or head of a department, or the management committee in the case of other employees shall act in accordance with section 148(8) of the ordinance. (4) An employee who is acquitted of a criminal charge shall not thereby be exempted from any steps which may be taken under these regulations. Suspension
Namibia Central Intelligence Service Act 10 of 1997-Regulations 1998-118
7. Discharge of staff members on account of long absence without leave