Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hopwood yesterday said government needs to initiate an economic relief package to shield the poor during the far-reaching coronavirus crisis.
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Namibians should not panic, and should at all times cooperate with authorities to ensure the national response to coronavirus is effective, preventing its further spread into the country.
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Northern based business mogul Ben Zaaruka said his group of companies has locked down most of its businesses until further notice, hastily adding none of his workers would be retrenched.
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OMUTHIYA – The outgoing special advisor to the governor of Oshikoto Erwin ‘Nation’ Nashikaku whose term ended on 20 March says he would like to see the right people with the requisite skills being placed into right positions to propel the country forward.
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OMUTHIYA – Eleven people perished on the country’s national roads, with two more deaths recorded in Oshikoto on Friday in addition to that of the other nine that perished in the horrendous Okahandja-Otjiwarongo road on Thursday while passengers were headed home.
RUNDU – The Kavango East regional council has achieved a 40% achievement on the target of 20 boreholes drilled and installed through the N$11.3 million drought relief emergency funds from the prime minister’s office.
The authorities yesterday once again reminded residents of affected towns in Erongo as well as Windhoek, Okahandja and Rehoboth to strictly adhere to the lockdown rules as government intensifies the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. Government has come up with strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including imposing a 21-day lockdown, which begins tomorrow.
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Former information minister Stanley Simataa has resigned as a member of the National Assembly with immediate effect, after failing to make the cut in the new Cabinet.
Namibian Ambassador to France Albertus Aochamub, who earlier tested positive for coronavirus, says he is making great progress and responding well to treatment.
Labour minister Utoni Nujoma has vehemently denied that he made derogatory remarks against his former subordinate and Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi, saying it was not a Swapo culture to insult people.
Chairperson of the Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) Frank Steffen has welcomed the media being classified as an essential service by health advisor in the presidency Dr Bernard Haufiku – during the 21-day lockdown starting midnight today. Previously media was not regarded as an essential service.
Many Windhoek residents embarked on panic buying around the city yesterday, hours after government announced plans to place Windhoek, Rehoboth, Okahandja and the Erongo region under lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi was evasive yesterday on what possible action the August House would take after a war of words broke out between Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi and labour minister Utoni Nujoma.
President Hage Geingob yesterday thanked world leaders for their congratulatory messages after the country’s Pear Jubilee Independence celebration and his inauguration, saying that Namibians appreciate the kind words and thoughts of the international community.
In light of the 21-day lockdown starting on Friday in Khomas and Erongo regions when only essential services will be operating, New Era Publication Corporation (NEPC) CEO Christof Maletsky said whether the media are regarded as essential services or not, they should regard themselves as essential.
The case of a 50-year-old man who confessed to abducting and sexually violating a minor last year has ground to a halt as the investigating officer still has to obtain a witness statement from the five-year-old victim.
MANGETTI - In its efforts to boost the much-needed security at the conservancy, N≠a Jaqna conservancy management committee member Lara Diez said they have added 12 new guards to help curb poaching that of late has seen a rapid increase at the park.
Law enforcement officers will be deployed at critical roadblocks and on the streets as government yesterday announced a lockdown of Erongo and Khomas regions from midnight 27 March until 16 April in order to curb the further spread of the coronavirus after positive cases hit seven.
Failed attempt… A 49-year-old pilot narrowly escaped death after a privately owned helicopter crash-landed at the Tsumeb airstrip yesterday morning.
The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) has warned businesses not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging during the coronavirus outbreak. NaCC CEO Vitalis Ndalikokule has urged the general public to be vigilant and file complaints regarding price gouging related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) says the party leadership was consulted before the appointment of its president, Esther Muinjangue, as deputy health minister. Muinjangue was on Sunday named as deputy health minister by President Hage Geingob.
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Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Petrus Unengu last week admitted the confessions of two of the remaining people still on trial in the long-running high treason trial at the High Court situated at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.
Analysts yesterday lauded the new executive team announced by President Hage Geingob, saying the Cabinet would be essential in steering the country forward.
Emma Theofelus was having a lazy Sunday afternoon at home when she received a surprising rare phone call from State House. The call led to a chain of events that would change her life forever as it was indeed to confirm her appointment as one of the eight presidential nominees for the National Assembly as well as to serve her nation in a deputy minister capacity.
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A 19-year-old Namibian man who arrived in the country on 18 March tested positive for Covid-19, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed late yesterday. “Specimens were taken and sent to a laboratory, and the results returned positive.
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A judgment handed down last week by three justices of Namibia’s highest court could spell disaster for people who entered Namibia on a work visa and decided to settle in the country permanently.
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President Hage Geingob at the weekend vowed to honour his social contract with the Namibian people, with a promise to tackle youth unemployment, income disparities and inequalities, and fight against corruption, poverty and hunger.
President Hage Geingob has started his second and final term as head of state with some bold Cabinet appointments, while appointing a 23-year-old as deputy minister.
Despite much speculation, Air Namibia has set the record straight regarding its operations and interpretation of Cabinet resolutions on measures to strengthen Namibia’s preparedness and response to the Covid-19. The national airline has reiterated it is in full conformity with government’s resolutions.
On Namibia’s 30th independence anniversary, President Hage Geingob launched a new N$30 commemorative banknote, issued by the Bank of Namibia (BoN). The once-off print commemorative banknote is the first of its kind to be issued by BoN, with the sole purpose to celebrate Namibia’s 30th independence anniversary.
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The 96 members of the National Assembly, with voting powers, were sworn in on Friday for the next five years until 2025. Reappointed Vice president Nangolo Mbumba was also sworn in, but will now have to resign from parliament after he was installed as vice president on Saturday.
After a challenging five years, rocked by weak economic growth, unemployment and an internal rebellion within the ruling party, President Hage Geingob will be looking at securing a rock-solid legacy as he starts serving his final term tomorrow.
The health ministry yesterday announced contact tracing is underway after a German national tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the country’s confirmed cases to three.
Since independence in 1990, the government has spent between N$90 billion and N$100 billion on the development budget in various sectors of the economy.
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Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has called on incoming members of parliament (MPs) to consider electing an opposition member as deputy speaker, saying this will strengthen democracy.
RUNDU – In the wake of some complaints, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has ordered schools to stop the forceful and unlawful cutting of learners’ hair along with the subjective banishment of learners from school for refusal to cut their hair.
WINDHOEK – The eight parliamentary standing committees of the 6th parliament met yesterday to reflect on the achievements and challenges as their tenure come to an end.
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President Hage Geingob has given the clearest indication yet that he will not consider appointing members of the opposition to his Cabinet, while admitting he was finding it difficult who to name in his new executive for the next five years.
The government should bring in a payment holiday for rent, loan and mortgages as part of measures to soften the economic blow of Covid-19 on households, opposition leader McHenry Venaani said yesterday.
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WALVIS BAY – Six passengers that were on board the Aidamira cruise ship that docked at Walvis Bay last week Thursday tested negative for coronavirus.
ONGWEDIVA – Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development Peya Mushelenga and the Minister of Land Reform Utoni Nujoma handed over the first ever land hold titles to residents of Onawa Township in Oshakati, Oshana region yesterday.
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All the lawyers for the accused in the massive tax refund fraud trial in the Windhoek High Court indicated to Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Kobus Miller Tuesday that they will bring a section 174 discharge application on behalf of their clients.
RUNDU – Residents of Rundu have since Monday been without running water at their residence due to a pipe burst that has affected the water supply of the town along the Kavango River.
The government yesterday announced a raft of new measures to curb the further spread of coronavirus, as President Hage Geingob declared a national emergency on the global pandemic. “As emphasised in my statement of 14 March, the health of Namibians is the priority. Covid-19 is a public health emergency, considering the threat posed to the lives of the Namibian people,” said Geingob.
Opposition politicians and commentators have largely welcomed the decision by President Hage Geingob to downsize the number of ministries from 26 to 19. Geingob has merged at least five ministries, while he has also elevated the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board into the Presidency.
Despite the uncertainty among hundreds of drivers who showed up at the NaTIS in desperate search of vehicle licences and other services, it’s offices in Windhoek managed to open its doors to the public yesterday late in the day after securing protective clothing to prevent the potential spread of the dreaded coronavirus.
KATIMA MULILO – The moratorium on the fishing season, which is a regular occurrence, that came into effect last December in Zambezi region as one of the measures to conserve fresh water fish has been lifted as from 1 March 2020.
WALVIS BAY - The Walvis Bay municipality has closed a number of facilities, including the popular Ekutu Latika open market in Kuisebmond, as part of an attempt to avoid the further spread of coronavirus.
President Hage Geingob has done away with several ministerial positions in a reshaped executive aimed at cutting costs. The new cabinet will include 19 ministries, while two ministers will serve under the Presidency. Geingob yesterday said he was trimming the structure to achieve better alignment among sectors.
Information that has been circulating over the weekend that the founding president Sam Nujoma has fallen ill were denied by his office yesterday.
NKURENKURU – There was a huge sigh of relief for Sikarosompo Primary School in Kavango West as the school officially received temporary accommodation and cooking structures constructed by Good Samaritans who reacted to the plight of learners.
OMUTHIYA – The Omuthiya Town Council will soon survey the undeveloped Erf 53, a big portion of land that is characterised by filth and ramshackle structures.
KEETMANSHOOP – Water minister Alpheus !Naruseb said it was only through key negotiation strategies and the unreserved commitment by the line ministry, contractor and engineer that the successful completion of the Neckartal Dam could have been realised.
As the fear of coronavirus infections spreads across the world, local authorities yesterday decided to close down all public and private schools until 14 April as ordinary Namibians scramble for face masks and hand sanitisers to help contain the further spread of the virus after a Romanian couple in Windhoek tested positive at the weekend.
KEETMANSHOOP – Vice president Nangolo Mbumba said the completion of the Neckartal Dam will change the fortunes of the people of the //Kharas region and that of Namibia for good.
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First Lady Monica Geingos says it is wrong to still position motherhood and fatherhood as the ultimate goal for women and men. “If you cannot have children, you remain a human being.
KEETMANSHOOP – The Neckartal Dam can be regarded as one of the projects that could meaningfully impact the socio-economic development of the people of the south, said //Kharas regional governor Lucia Basson.
OPUWO – The Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust has donated medical equipment to the Opuwo district hospital valued at N$890 000.
The Shambyu circuit in Kavango East recently held its annual teacher’s award ceremony at Shambyu Secondary School. Over 50 teachers from various schools in the circuit were recognised and celebrated for scoring over 70% for the 2019 academic year.
ONANDJOKWE – Expectant mothers at the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital in the Oshikoto region are calling on the authorities to provide them with a more habitable shelter.
Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) this week declaring coronavirus a global pandemic, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula says securing the country’s borders will not stop the spread of the virus.
One of the many recommendations made by President Hage Geingob’s High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy (HLPE) is that Namibia implements its comprehensive national policy on climate change released in 2011.
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The Omaheke Regional Council has denied that a contractor, who won a tender to rehabilitate and drill boreholes in the region, disappeared without finishing the work.
WALVIS BAY – About 30 employees of Dreamland Investment, the granite and marble mining company in Erongo will be retrenched after the company halted production at its three quarries.
The creation of a national employment task force, a national internship programme, the allocation of free land in urban areas, the adequate leveraging of public assets and the appointment of a government-owned holding company to run affairs of commercial parastatals are but some of the recommendations made by President Hage Geingob’s High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy (HLPE).
A 38-year-old woman yesterday shared her emotional ordeal of experiencing a miscarriage and failing to conceive in her marriage of nearly four years.
Namibia Airports Company (NAC) says the current upgrades worth N$250 million at Hosea Kutako International Airport are on track with the project expected to be completed by October this year.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, is hopeful that the second phase of the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), HIV and AIDS Governance project will replicate the successes of its predecessor.
Windhoek-based lawyer Trevor Brockerhoff has indicated he will apply for a section 174 discharge of his clients after the State closed its case yesterday in the tax fraud trial in the High Court.
The two newly elected regional councillors for Otjiwarongo and Opuwo Rural have promised to serve the electorate and improve service delivery in their respective constituencies.
Four Icelandic journalists who uncovered what is now known as the Fishrot scandal and which led to the arrest and detention of former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau, his justice counterpart Sacky Shanghala and five others have been awarded the Union of Icelandic Journalists’ 2019 Bladamannaverðlaun for Best Investigative Reporting for their coverage of the bribery saga.
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Youth leader Ester Simon was honoured with an achievement award by the All African Students Union, through the body’s SheGame Awards2020 in Accra, Ghana.
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WALVIS BAY – The Far Sleipner vessel that mostly operates in Angolan waters became the heaviest vessel ever to be docked and lifted out of water by Namdock.
Health minister Dr Shangula Kalumbi has called for calm among Namibians, saying there was no need for panic over the deadly coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of over 4 000 people around the world.
Karel Cloete, the Anti-Corruption Commission senior investigator in the tax fraud investigation said that during their investigations it came to light at least N$2 billion worth of invoices were presented to Aveshe Consulting – the firm contracted by government to pay out tax refunds on purchases made for export – by several Angolans with the help of unscrupulous Namibians.
A 28-year-old man who spent six years at Windhoek Correctional facility mirrored on how he participated in a gang rape while at school as a teenage boy destroyed his life.
Many students at the University of Namibia (Unam) have expressed their disappointment towards management for allegedly failing to pay the service provider for the internet connection on campus. This, the students argue, is despite the fact they have paid their internet connectivity fee of N$500 during registration.
Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has condemned in strongest terms the latest insults hurled at President Hage Geingob saying that such insults are aimed inciting public hatred, tribalism, hostility and violence against the President.
Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said although sub-Saharan Africa as a whole has not experienced rapid rates decline of malaria to equal with the global progress, the SADC region has registered stronger progress in the prevention and control of malaria.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, hosted the commemoration of Commonwealth Day at the Namibian parliament yesterday. In line with outlined commonwealth protocol, the Speaker, read the Queen’s statement that called for a common future through a united front.
Nurses and patients at Katutura State Hospital on Friday described President Hage Geingob’s surprise visit as a “shock” but said they knew something big was coming when they were asked to thoroughly clean the medical facility as early as 05h00.
NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia has declared that with the recent good rainfall received in the three main supply dams feeding water to the central areas including Windhoek, Gobabis and Karirib - the drought experienced over the past few years is over for now.
Founding President Sam Nujoma has paid tribute to former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, who died last week Wednesday at the age of 100.
After the Hardap Dam level decreased, several faulty aspects needing attention in terms of rehabilitation were recently identified.
As Namibia joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day, President Hage Geingob took the lead and lauded Namibian women for undertaking a courageous journey towards gender equality, urging more urgency and action.
Tributes poured in yesterday for Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the former United Nations secretary general who mediated Namibian independence from South Africa. De Cuéllar, who died Wednesday at the age of 100, considered the 1990 independence of Namibia as his greatest accomplishment as secretary general.
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Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga yesterday issued a stern warning to those taking part in tomorrow’s planned demonstrations to refrain from violence and causing public disorder.
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As a drought mitigation measure, the government is currently installing a hydroponic fodder production system at the Etunda Green Scheme project, which is planned to be completed end of March 2020.
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The public have been warned about an email circulating under the name of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, regarding the alleged distribution of funds from the European Development Fund.
To avert utility services being cut off at public schools, the acting minister of education Martin Andjaba says they have engaged service providers, specifically the City of Windhoek, to install pre-paid meters for water and electricity usage at public schools.
An irate High Court Acting Judge Kobus Miller yesterday issued a warrant of arrest for Anti-Corruption Commission senior investigator Karel Cloete for failing to show up for his scheduled witness testimony in the tax fraud trial underway in the Windhoek High Court.
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Agribank has started auctioning off farms belonging to previously disadvantaged Namibians, with the property belonging to businessman Andreas ‘Ghenno’ Himarwa set to go under the hammer next week Thursday.
A total of 73 cases of alleged unprofessional conduct were reported against law enforcement officers during the now-ceased ‘Operation Kalahari.’
The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) has threatened court action against the City of Windhoek council for renewing the employment contract of City Police chief Abraham Kanime.
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Pan African Women’s Organisations (PAWO)’s new president Eunice Iipinge says the 10th congress has decided Namibia will no longer host its regional office. The office will instead move to Angola and the headquarters will remain in South Africa.
ONGWEDIVA – Flood-hit areas in northern Namibia are bracing for further downpours, while a hydrologist has advised people to prepare for the worst as water levels continue to rise.
City of Windhoek Mayor Fransina Kahungu yesterday confirmed that the city council had agreed to extend the employment contract of the City Police chief Abraham Kanime, a decision she said was taken at an extraordinary council meeting last Thursday.
While some countries in sub-Saharan Africa are finally taking steps to repatriate citizens from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said Namibia would not evacuate its nationals.
RUNDU – The Rundu Intermediate Hospital is making arrangements to conduct a pauper burial this month to get rid of some of the corpses that have not been identified and remained uncollected and unburied in the hospital mortuary for over five years.
OMUTHIYA – The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Habitat has lauded the Oshikoto regional council for having utilised the drought relief funds of N$15.5 million in a desired manner.
WALVIS BAY – Victoria Shikongo (29), who allegedly slit her baby’s throat, was denied bail on Tuesday morning when she made her routine first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court.
ONGWEDIVA – Some schools in the northern parts of the country have been temporarily closed due to heavy floods following torrential rains.
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The Outapi Town Council has started disconnecting the water supply of all the residents and businesses that owe the town authority a collective debt of N$28 million.
President Hage Geingob maintains an open-door policy with all traditional authorities and accords high priority to the issues they table to the Presidency, spokesperson Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari said yesterday.
The dismissed CEO of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NASFAF), Hilya Nghiwete, has filed an urgent application with the Windhoek High Court to interdict the Fund’s board from implementing its decision to fire her pending the finalisation of a labour complaint she lodged with the Labour Commissioner and ordering that the status quo remains in respect of her employment contract prior to the decision to fire her.
Namibia and Botswana last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will enable Impalila Island and Kasika residents in the Zambezi region to use border passes to enter Botswana.
WALVIS BAY – The Namibian Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) that is an affiliate member of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) is training close to 30 shop stewards in the sector.
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ONAMBANGO – The leader of the Ondonga Traditional Authority Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo has urged Namibians to give their full support to allow President Hage Geingob to serve his two full terms as head of state.
OMADHIYA – A 12-year-old girl has abandoned school in order to take care of her younger siblings. Esther Haimbodi from Omadhiya village in Oshikoto region decided not to go back to her paternal grandmother’s house where she was living, after she discovered that her mother had abandoned her six siblings between the ages of two and 16.
With cases of coronavirus rising worldwide, former minister of health Bernard Haufiku has advised Namibians against travelling to Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe unless absolutely necessary.
WALVIS BAY – The family of the Hangana Seafood captain Carlo Gordon, who is still missing at sea, say they are deeply disappointed in the company’s efforts to locate their son.
The lawyers, who are instructing a South African advocate in an urgent court application matter involving former cabinet minister Bernhard Esau and his co-accused in the unfolding Fishrot scandal, have accused the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of abusing its power and acting above the law.
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ONANKE – The councillor of Uukwiyu-Uushona constituency in Oshana region, Andreas Amundjindi, has urged young people to refrain from swimming in the floodplains to avoid drowning incidents.
A former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) paramedic who is accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend and mother of his three-year-old is scheduled to stand trial in June.
OKAPUKU – A mother of a 17-year-old boy living with disability has expressed shocked that her child is being abused and harassed by some of the teachers at a local school, resulting in the teenager taking a break from school.
Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa yesterday explained that the reported N$50 000 paid to South African lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi was for his services during the 2018 second national land conference, where the charismatic public speaker and activist delivered a research paper.
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Information deputy minister Engel Nawatiseb has criticised those calling on Namibians to boycott the Independence Day celebrations, saying it is “tantamount to treason”.
Disgruntled residents of Havana, Greenwell Matongo and Goreangab informal settlements were up in arms yesterday as they read a petition demanding basic needs and services from the City of Windhoek.
City of Windhoek councillors are expected to meet today to extend the employment contract of City Police chief Abraham Kanime until such time a suitable candidate is found. Talk about a contract extension comes weeks after Kanime had formally asked to go on early retirement on 30 April. Kanime turns 60 on 19 May this year.
President Hage Geingob is of the view men should play prominent roles in tackling the epidemic of domestic violence. He also said there is a need to re-educate the boy child that being told culturally to be strong does not mean they must kill women.
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The Namibian anti-graft agency yesterday issued a summons against the charismatic South African lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi over a reported N$50 000 that was paid to him in October 2018 from State-owned National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor).
Gender equality minister Doreen Sioka says warning signs of violence should be treated with urgency, especially in troubled relationships.
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SWAKOPMUND – Southern African Customs Union (SACU) executive secretary Paulina Elago says African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries will have to acquire new investments in the transformation of production processes that utilise environment-friendly technologies.
New Swapo parliamentarian Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun has called on fellow legislators to end the blame game and work hand-in-hand as lawmakers to improve the current status of the country’s ailing economy.
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WALVIS BAY - Industrialisation minister Tjekero Tweya on Monday lashed out “at the powers that be” for enforcing restrictive government policies that do not inspire investor confidence.
In order to ensure Namibia’s natural resources wealth benefits all, the High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy has identified there is a need for a framework to regulate such proceeds to benefit the majority and not individuals.
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WALVIS BAY - Samherji-owned Saga Seafood yesterday announced it would cease operations in the country end of next month. Samherji, through Saga Seafood and the Geysir vessel, employed about 210 fishermen who are now left jobless.
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As at January this year, over 300 000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) were benefiting from the country’s grant system, gender equality and child welfare minister Doreen Sioka said.
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The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has defended its decision to only fund students who got admitted through mature entry at public institutions of higher learning while leaving out those pursuing studies at private universities.
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ETOSHA - Communal farmers in the Ananke area say they have for years been living in fear of wild animals such as lions, hyenas, elephants and rhinos due to the damaged Etosha National Park fence.
Namibia yesterday welcomed a decision by the European Union to ease sanctions imposed by the powerful bloc on four Zimbabwean officials, including vice president Constantino Chiwenga.
One of the Americans on trial on a charge of murder wants the Windhoek High Court to release him on bail pending his trial.
WALVIS BAY - Walvis Bay Salt Refiners, the largest producer of solar sea salt in sub-Saharan Africa, has invested in an N$93.6 million new salt processing plant at the harbour town.
The Popular Democratic Movement Youth League (PDMYL) has called on Namibians to boycott the 30th Independence Day celebrations, saying the ruling party has failed to deliver on the promises it made in 1989.
High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg said that there is currently an alarming increase of ‘white-collar’ crime in Namibia and that in sentencing, courts are entitled to take judicial notice of the increasing prevalence of such offences in its jurisdiction.
President Hage Geingob has responded to those questioning the relevance of celebrating Independence Day, saying the day is significant and should not be downplayed.
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ONGWEDIVA - The Swapo top brass in Oshana will convene today to deliberate on the actions of a local businessman who locked the regional headquarters offices at the weekend in an apparent protest move against the party’s regional coordinator.
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Minister of international relations Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has explained the planned launch of the genocide history mobile exhibition, saying it was a response to concerns that many Namibians are ignorant to the atrocities committed by the Germans, especially to the Ovaherero and Nama people at the beginning of the 20th century.
WALVIS BAY – Vena Makena, a skipper of one of the Hangana Seafood fishing vessels that assisted in the 24-hour search of the Resplendent captain Carlo Gordon after the vessel sunk on Tuesday afternoon, said going fishing feels like going to war.
Electricity is no longer a luxury but a necessity, said Windhoek mayor Fransina Kahungu. She said this during a ceremony marking the electrification of 1 200 homes in Otjomuise extension 6 and 7 and the Havana informal settlement extension 1 and 3.
President Hage Geingob has extended hearty congratulations to the South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa on his emergence as the new chairperson of the African Union.
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WALVIS BAY – Captain of the Resplendent hake trawler Carlo Gordon that sunk on Tuesday afternoon off the Namibian coast was hailed as a selfless hero by his crew members, family and friends yesterday.
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OMUTHIYA – It only took less than 30 minutes for Namibians to pool resources together for 19-year-old Lavinia Hautoni who was languishing at home without support to further her studies, despite achieving 38 points in grade 12 last year.
The Russian government applauded President Hage Geingob for the constructive role and the respect he enjoys in Africa and international affairs. Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko said this yesterday during a courtesy call to Geingob at State House.
The Windhoek City Council is to provide a total of 20 000 heads of households in Windhoek’s informal settlements with acknowledgment of occupation certificates and lease agreements this year.
The case of former Cabinet ministers Bernhard Esau and Sacky Shanghala and four of their co-accused was postponed yesterday to 23 April for further investigations when they made a very short appearance before Windhoek magistrate Philanda Christiaan, in a filled to the brim B court.
Windhoek High Court Judge Nate Ndauendapo postponed the ruling in a trial within a trial regarding disputed recordings obtained by the Anti-Corruption Commission of conversations between former acting MD of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) Daniel Nghiwilepo and a former registry clerk at the finance ministry to 15 June because of the complexity of issues raised.
WALVIS BAY – Visibly traumatised crew members of the Hangana Seafood-owned Resplendent yesterday struggled to hold back tears as they recalled the final moments of the hake trawler, which sank off the Namibian coast on Tuesday.
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The Namibian government has acquired two farms measuring 7 587 hectares for over 1 500 Batswana of Namibian descent who have shown a willingness to return to their native country, the land reform minister Utoni Nujoma announced yesterday.
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Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says public servants should not use the excuse of budget cuts for failure to deliver and implement government programmes.
The executive director in the ministry of information Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana said government has budgeted just N$1 million for next month’s 30th Independence Day celebrations and inauguration of President Hage Geingob.
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Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro on Tuesday met President Hage Geingob to raise his concerns over a number of issues including what he termed the marginalisation of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority allegedly by the government.
The two men who were arrested for allegedly trying to bribe one of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigators in the Fishrot scandal abandoned their application to be released on bail yesterday due to “classified developments”.
OMUTHIYA – A planned project, dubbed the Tsumeb smart city, that will reportedly cost a massive N$20 billion to develop, is hanging in the balance.
WALVIS BAY – All possible resources had to be deployed yesterday to launch an emergency evacuation in order to rescue crew members of a fishing vessel that has sunk off the Namibian coast yesterday.
Namibia will once again make history by becoming the first African country to export beef to the lucrative United States market.
Suspended Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya was yesterday joined by five other co-accused in the unfolding international fishing bribery scandal when he appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court for the first time.
Former health minister Bernard Haufiku said the country needs about five referral hospitals to ease the traffic of patients coming to the two Windhoek state hospitals.
SWAKOPMUND – Double murder accused Ernst Lichtenstrasser has pleaded not guilty on all charges when he appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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ONDANGWA – The US embassy yesterday extended its food assistance programme to six more regions that will see over 46 000 drought-stricken Namibians benefiting in the coming months.
Suspended CEO of the embattled State-owned fishing company Fishcor Mike Nghipunya was arrested yesterday in connection with the unfolding Fishrot bribery scandal. Nghipunya was taken in after questioning by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The Office of the Judiciary said it is alarmed by sustained attacks against judges following last year’s general election, which culminated in a landmark Supreme Court judgement that upheld the poll outcome.
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The Katutura school, which produced the likes of Founding President Sam Nujoma and struggle veteran Mburumba Kerina, among others, is preparing to celebrate its 100-year milestone in 2023.
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A supervisor at the Olof Palme community garden at Goreangab, Nestor Kalola, has called on the City of Windhoek to avail more land to the residents, saying it will help improve the living standard of inhabitants in the informal settlements.
The Zambezi River continues to rise steadily - a situation the regional governor Lawrence Sampofu described as worrisome for those residents in the flood-prone areas of the Kabbe South constituency.
Close to 2 000 pupils fall pregnant in a year, deputy education minister Anna Nghipondoka revealed last week.
In response to widespread concerns by hordes of Namibian students studying in China who feel they have been abandoned by the government, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has at this stage not recommended mass evacuations of foreign nationals from China.
OSHAKATI - Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga has teared into disrespectful youth who resort to social media to insult national leaders.
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Tribute poured in for renowned photojournalist John Liebenberg, who died in a Johannesburg hospital yesterday at the age of 62.
The Windhoek High Court last week sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend by stabbing her multiples in Aroab in 2017.
Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (Nappa) community outreach coordinator Risto Mushongo believes sexual reproductive health (SRH) cannot be effectively addressed if men are not included.
BEIJING – Hordes of Namibian students studying in China feel they have been abondoned by the government as they haplessly watch the evacuation of other international students from coronavirus-hit Wuhan.
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Former MTC board member Asser Ntinda said corruption accused lawyer Dirk Conradie spoke highly of advertising agency, DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi, during a 2012 board meeting in Portugal.
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It has emerged that some San people in the Aminuis constituency are misusing their children’s monthly social grants given by the government as safety nets in eradicating extreme poverty and reducing inequality.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement says it is currently studying offers for a potential housing development to accommodate landless youth south of Windhoek.
Despite the fact that most parts of Namibia have received goods rains and promising grazing, Aminuis constituency in the Omaheke region continues to feel the pinch of persistent drought.
Following the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement’s declaration to have 2 October as Genocide Remembrance Day in honour of the Ovaherero and Nama who died at the hands of German colonial forces between 1904-1908, Nudo has also come on board in support of the idea.
President Hage Geingob yesterday assured Namibians that no member of Cabinet or the Legislature would be allowed to meddle in the affairs of the Judiciary.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement have declared 2 October as Genocide Remembrance Day in honour of the Ovaherero and Nama who died at the hands of German colonial forces between 1904-1908.
The City of Windhoek has cut off water supply to at least 20 government schools in the Khomas region over outstanding bills, believed to be around N$55 million.
The home affairs ministry has investigated about 70 so-called marriages of convenience, deputy minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende announced yesterday.
Namibia is among the ‘low risk’ countries in Africa to contracting the coronavirus disease, World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses said yesterday.
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Independent presidential candidate Dr Panduleni Itula, who last week declared President Hage Geingob as a legitimate head of state, has once again launched another legal bid to have the Supreme Court review its judgement of last week, which upheld the results of last year’s presidential vote.
RUNDU - The majority of Rundu residents have gone for three days without water as taps run dry at the Kavango East town.
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ONGWEDIVA - The worldwide spread of the coronavirus is crippling small and medium businesses in Namibia, who solely depend on importing goods from China to make ends meet.
A man who was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment for murder is seeking leave to appeal his murder conviction in the Supreme Court.
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Founding President Sam Nujoma yesterday lauded former Kenyan president the late Daniel arap Moi for helping stabilise the security situation in Namibia just after independence.
Parents are too embarrassed to talk about sex with their children, while low levels of education, limited information and access to contraceptives, as well as traditional norms were some of the contributing factors to high rates of teenage pregnancy in Namibia.
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba says African countries should strengthen systems, processes and institutions as a means to provide effective governance and ensuring the African Union is more responsive to conflicts.
Home affairs minister Frans Kapofi has warned officials in his ministry to refrain from “selling their country to foreign nationals”. According to him, some home affairs officials were reportedly working in cahoots with illegal immigrants.
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Oshakati-based actor-turned-musician Matthew Shipushu, who was well known by his stage name Fimbiko, died yesterday morning after a short illness at the age of 28.
One of the State witnesses in the trial of two American citizens accused of the assassin like murder of Andre Heckmair in Windhoek in 2011 testified yesterday that the accused were very much interested in the victim’s whereabouts.
The unavailability of Vas Soni, the senior counsel representing prominent Windhoek lawyer Dirk Conradie and his long-time friend Sara Ngenohani Damases slightly delayed the resumption of their high profile corruption trial in the Windhoek High Court before Judge Thomas Masuku
WALVIS BAY - The authorities have once again seized horse mackerel trawler Heinaste just days after a court ordered for its release.
Russian national Alexander Krylov has admitted having sex in 2017 with five under-age girls, but has denied raping them, saying he paid them N$100 each. He further denied that he was aware they were under-aged.
Some of the young leaders of the Popular Democratic Movement, who were part of the 96-member list submitted to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) last year, are demanding for their inclusion in the next National Assembly.
Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nicanor has called on Namibians to respect and accept the Supreme Court verdict handed down last week with regards to last year’s general election.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has started conducting nationwide inspections of all gambling and casino operations to create a database of licensed and unlicensed businesses.
A 27-year-old Ombili woman has had her kidney and spleen removed after she was unintentionally shot and wounded alongside her friend by a man on Sunday afternoon.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ongoing upgrading and construction of the Etosha National Park fence will no longer go through the tendering process, arguing middlemen pocket huge money while they do shoddy work for the government.
The regulation of social media, especially concerning offenders preying on young girls, is being considered, information minister Stanley Simataa said yesterday.
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) have called for the immediate sacking of Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Theo Mujoro, and the five commissioners.
WALVIS BAY – Two workers died at the Walvis Bay sewerage works yesterday after drowning inside the sewer pump station.
An application by Rachel Rittmann for leave to appeal against her life prison term for the murder of her husband, Henry Rittmann, was dismissed by Windhoek High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg this week.
President Hage Geingob will be sworn in for a second term next month after the Supreme Court yesterday upheld the results of last year’s presidential vote in a unanimous judgement.
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Scores of prospective landowners assembled at Rocky Crest’s Extension 4 when the City of Windhoek conducted an information session regarding the availability of 274-serviced erven on site yesterday.
Despite not succeeding in his Supreme Court bid to nullify last year’s presidential election, Dr Panduleni Itula who was President Hage Geingob’s main challenger for the presidency, accepted the outcome with grace.
Although the number of students meeting funding requirements are increasing every year, the annual budget of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) is not commensurate wiith the increase.
A senior police officer at Oshakati’s protected resources unit was the mastermind behind the poaching incidences which occurred in Etosha National Park last month.
WALVIS BAY - Arngrímur Brynjólfsson, the captain of Heinaste, a factory trawler owned by Samherji, was yesterday fined N$950 000 in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court for fishing in a restricted zone.
The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to the November 2019 disputed elections by refusing to annul the presidential elections because a verifiable paper trial was not used.
President Hage Geingob yesterday strongly cautioned his cabinet ministers that they will no longer conduct business as usual, warning that the bar of performance would be set high this time around.
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Former prime minister Nahas Angula said Namibia remains indebted to former Kenya’s president Daniel Arap Moi.
WINDHOEK - A Zimbabwean man, suspected of being involved in the murder of a nine-year-old girl whose charred body was found in a municipal rubbish skip a week ago, has appeared in absentia before a Windhoek court.
The Swapo politburo has formally endorsed the proposal, which calls for the need for a post-mortem of the ruling party and its presidential candidate’s performance in the November 2019 elections.
Namibia has become the first Southern African Development Community (SADC) country to stop granting visas to Chinese nationals as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak that has become a global health emergency with the death rate increasing daily.
WALVIS BAY – A second vessel linked to the controversial Icelandic fishing company, Samherji, which is implicated in the unfolding Fishrot scandal, has left the country, leaving fishermen hanging.
Former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa convicted on one charge of corruptly using her office for gratification has vowed this is not the end after Windhoek High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg dismissed her application for leave to appeal her conviction in the Supreme Court.
Defence ministry executive director Peter Hafeni Vilho has hit back on allegations levelled against the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) by the Society of Advocates of Namibia that there is blurring of mandates with the Namibian Police.
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Gender equality and child welfare minister, Doreen Sioka says there is a need to create awareness to highlight issues surrounding child abuse, violence against children and exploitation in light of a recent incident in which a child was murdered and her body burnt.
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Russian national Alexander Krylov, 56, and his Namibian counterpart Anna Katrina Engelbrecht, 28 will plead to charges of alleged child trafficking and the rape of several underage girls when their trial starts today.
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KUNENE – Four people including a premature baby died when a ministry of health vehicle was washed away in a stream of raging water in the Kunene region on Friday evening. The tragedy occurred some six kilometres north east of Opuwo.
WINDHOEK – The Namibia National Student’s Organisation (Nanso) has written a letter to the acting education minister Martin Andjaba seeking clarity on increasing incidents of beating of learners for refusing to trim their hair.
WINDHOEK - An assessment undertaken in the Zambezi region’s Kabbe South flood-prone areas revealed that 41 farmers are affected as they had their fields flooded in various villages.
ONANDJOKWE - Following the widely circulated video depicting the deplorable conditions of the Onandjokwe hospital’s maternity ward, the executive director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe says a new contractor will be appointed to complete the work of the maternity ward.
WALVIS BAY – A businessman linked to the multi-million Fishrot bribery scandal that claimed the scalps of two cabinet ministers has fled to South Africa to avoid arrest.
OMUTHIYAGWIIPUNDI – Okashana rural development centre in the heart of Oshikoto region is a manufacturer of different machineries that are currently on demand and useful in the community.
RUNDU - Festus Shikerete, the senior traditional councillor of the Gciriku Traditional Authority, has warned the Gciriku community to refrain from spreading fake news regarding the succession of the late Hompa Kassian Shiyambi, who died two months ago, as this could bring confusion.
WINDHOEK – After months of uncertainty, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has finally moved to appoint a substantive Appeal Committee for the association.
ONGWEDIVA – The police in Omusati have pleaded with the public to assist in tracing an unknown suspect who is alleged to have run over a pedestrian on the main road between Oshikuku and Oshakati on Wednesday.
ONGWEDIVA - Following the devastating drought that led to the loss of thousands of livestock, the president of the Namibian National Farmers Union (NNFU), Jason Emvula, has appealed to financial institutions to extend their repayment grace period and drop their interest charges to allow farmers to restock.
WINDHOEK – Windhoek mayor Fransina Kahungu who recently moved her office to Babylon is of the view that municipality should provide electricity to residents in the informal settlements to do away with illegal power connections.
WINDHOEK – Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming yesterday confirmed that a “few” Chinese nationals had returned to Namibia after the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, but appealed to Namibians to remain calm, reaffirming his country’s commitment to stop the virus from spreading.
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WINDHOEK – The public enterprises ministry has requested parastatals to prioritise the employment of Namibians ahead of foreign nationals.
WALVIS BAY – At least 120 seamen and their about 600 dependents were left hanging this week after a Samherji-linked fishing vessel allegedly skipped town on Wednesday night.
WINDHOEK – The headship of the beleaguered Namibia Premier League (NPL) were yesterday left kicking their heels in frustration after the league’s want-away principal bankroller MTC rejected its request for funding towards a planned pre-season tournament.
KEETMANSHOOP – //Kharas Chief Regional Officer Beatus Kasete said the region is still faced with challenges of water scarcity and the prevailing drought situation.
ONGWEDIVA - The councillor of Okaku constituency Gerson Hannu Kapenda has cautioned his residents against crossing floodplains at night, especially after having consumed alcohol.
SWAKOPMUND – The Walvis Bay Municipality says it will come up with a revised budget that will entirely focus on affordability in terms of the provision of housing and service delivery in the new financial year.
WINDHOEK – Over 50% of the student applications received by the International University of Management (IUM) are taken up by students who enlisted for education programmes.
WINDHOEK – Two women, including a mother accused of killing and then disposing of the body of a nine-year-old girl, made a first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday before magistrate Ndepewa Amadhila.
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WINDHOEK – The formulation of a long-term solution for Namibia’s unending water woes through the construction of a desalination plant to serve the coastal and central regions is likely to require an investment of no less than N$10 billion.
2020 Nedbank cycling challenge launched…set for early next month
SWAKOPMUND – Renowned Kenyan academic and staunch Pan-Africanist Patrick Lumumba says the continent will not realise the sustainable development goals if it continues to tackle set targets and goals at the current pace.
WINDHOEK – The opposition Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has nominated Uaurikwa Kakuva as its candidate to contest for the Opuwo Rural constituency by-election slated for March.
WINDHOEK – Namibian Ambassador to China Elia Kaiyamo yesterday said there were still no plans to evacuate at least 40 Namibian students from Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.
WINDHOEK – Swapo was yesterday racing against time to have its candidate for the upcoming Otjiwarongo constituency by-election registered before today’s deadline.
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WINDHOEK – Over 1 000 desperate students who registered last year with the University of Namibia (Unam) through its access and foundation programmes are stranded without space to further their academic studies.
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WINDHOEK – NamWater yesterday confirmed it would stop providing water to irrigation schemes along the Hardap Dam due to the low level of water.
ONGWEDIVA - The Ruacana constituency councillor, Andreas Shintama, was recently elected to replace Modestus Amutse as the chairperson of the Omusati Regional Council.
SWAKOPMUND – The East and Southern African Association of Accountants General (ESAAG) should work in unison to strengthen mechanisms to enhance effective and efficient public financial management.
SWAKOPMUND - Swakopmund constituency councilor Juuso Kambueshe has called on the establishment of a law that will compel all government servants to declare their assets.
WINDHOEK – One of the two men accused of raping and murdering a young girl between 28 and 29 March 2013 in Windhoek, wanted to fire his lawyer yesterday.
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WINDHOEK – The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) chancellor Peter Katjavivi has spoken out against the internal chaos and infighting that has rocked the university’s top echelons.
WINDHOEK - Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said yesterday his ministry is on alert and monitoring the deadly coronavirus that has led to the death of at least 80 people.
WINDHOEK - While corruption inhibits economic growth, affects business operations, employment and investments and seriously jeopardises infrastructure development, it is more often ordinary working people who suffer the brunt of this dishonest and greedy conduct.
WINDHOEK - A police reservist, who was arrested on Friday for allegedly attempting to bribe an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officer in an attempt to recover ATM cards belonging to two of the six suspects in the bribery fishing scandal, made his first appearance that same day in Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
OMUTHIYA - A pride of lions that escaped from Etosha National Park between Friday and Saturday have killed a donkey and cow in the vicinity of Oshivelo and Casablanca.
ONANDHI - The family of the 26-year-old man who buried his son alive last week at Onandhi village in Oshikoto region is still reeling in shock and disbelief over the killing that has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
WINDHOEK – Over 35 Namibian students are trapped in Wuhan after the Chinese city was locked down to contain the spread of coronavirus.
WINDHOEK - A 71-year-old man has told of his shock after making the gruesome discovery of a burnt body of a child in Windhoek North on Saturday morning.
WINDHOEK - The Fishrot Six have turned to the High Court once again in a bid to have search warrants issued against them set aside, while also challenging the seizure of their assets by the Financial Intelligence Centre.
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WINDHOEK - Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste said the successful reform of parastatals is a non-negotiable element that has become critical to ensure that the current economic downturn is countered as soon as possible.
WALVIS BAY - Operations at Seaflower fishing company in Walvis Bay had to be stopped due to a gas leakage yesterday.
OSHAKATI - In its quest to fight cervical cancer the ministry of health has in the last nine months, since the introduction of the Visual Inspection of the Cervix with Acetic Acid (VIA) technique, screened 11 000 women of whom 8 000 were HIV positive.
WINDHOEK – Namibia has scored 52 on the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), announced yesterday by Transparency International. The score of 52 is a slight decline, compared to the 53 achieved during 2018.
OMUTHIYA - The chairperson of the Oshikoto regional council, Samuel Shivute, has expressed his unhappiness over some staff members who neglect their administrative duties to engage in political activities.
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President Hage Geingob has retreated to his Hadaloha farm in the Otavi district of Otjozondjupa Region.
WINDHOEK - Rachel Rittmann, who was sentenced to life imprisonment last year by Windhoek High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg for the murder of her husband, 35-year-old Rudolph Henry Rittmann, is seeking leave to appeal the sentence in the Supreme Court.
WINDHOEK - Namibia’s external debt stock rose by 13 percent annually to N$32.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of the 2019/20 financial year, Bank of Namibia governor Ipumbu Shiimi said.
SWAKOPMUND - The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) successfully collared a male elephant that wondered off and was spotted in Swakopmund in December last year.
WINDHOEK – The man arrested this week for allegedly trying to bribe one of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigators in the Fishrot scandal, was denied bail when he made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
WALVIS BAY - The rape and kidnapping case of a Walvis Bay-based pastor, Mervin Damaseb, had to be postponed yesterday morning after he fell ill while in police custody.
WALVIS BAY - A 30-year-old former police officer, who was arrested last weekend in Oranjemund for allegedly swindling a Walvis Bay businessman out of N$720 000, was denied bail when he appeared in court this week.
WINDHOEK - The Roads Authority (RA) has vehemently denied any charges of corruption or fraud regarding the construction of multi-million-dollar gravel access roads in the Omusati and Ohangwena regions.
WINDHOEK - The Namibian police have maintained that the new standardised bail amounts, including N$8 000 for motorists caught under the influence of alcohol, will remain in place.
WINDHOEK - Namibia remains a tourist destination of choice for many foreign visitors. Over 1.5 million tourists visited Namibia in 2018, compared to roughly 1.49 million visitors who arrived in the country in 2017, the minister of tourism Pohamba Shifeta announced yesterday.
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WINDHOEK - Windhoek mayor Francina Kahungu yesterday explained her decision to move the usually posh mayoral office to the Nathaniel Maxuilili Community Centre in the Babylon informal settlement.
WINDHOEK - Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani yesterday threatened legal action against Icelandic fishing company Samherji should it cease operations in Namibia without reimbursing over 1 000 fishermen who lost their jobs in October 2015 following an illegal strike.
RUNDU - The Rundu Urban Swapo district executive committee says it stands by its decision to recall three local authority councillors in December last year.
WINDHOEK - Student leaders and political youth movements say they remain resolute in the struggle to ensuring free registration costs at local universities.
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WINDHOEK - The mother of an 11-year-old twin boy has appealed to Good Samaritans to financially assist her as her their son prepares to undergo a kidney transplant in South Africa.
WINDHOEK – Constitutional Law expert Professor Nico Horn feels there is a need for more interpretation on the National Symbols Act of 2018, which also states the usage of national flags.
WINDHOEK - The state yesterday conceded that evidence it presented at the murder and robbery trial of three people, charged with killing an elderly farmer in the Usakos district, did not sustain a conviction of murder for the only woman accused in the matter.
TSINTSABIS - The regional councillor for Guinas constituency, Betty Kaula, will be completing her full five-year term without an administrative office to operate from.
OMUTHIYA - The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is dismayed by the poor workmanship by contractors hired to construct and upgrade the Treesleeper campsite, a project for the San community of Tsintsabis.
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WINDHOEK - If the Supreme Court nullifies the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, it may cause untold chaos in the country.
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WINDHOEK - Samherji, the Icelandic company at the centre of the disgraceful ‘Fishrot’ scandal, is being accused of unethical behaviour while in the process of de-investing its operations in Namibia.
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WINDHOEK - Dr Panduleni Itula, who last year contested the presidency as an independent candidate, has been warned against using the national flag for political purposes.
WINDHOEK - In an attempt to address identified shortcomings in the health sector, the government has ordered a total of 760 stock or line items through the recent exemptions starting October.
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OMUTHIYAGWIIPUNDI - The state of unemployment in Oshikoto Region is pushing some community members to grab every opportunity they get in order to make ends meet.
OMUTHIYAGWIIPUNDI- Incorrectly filling in a government job application form has disqualified many applicants from being awarded a job interview.
Record 45m people need urgent food aid in southern Africa : UN
WINDHOEK – Convicted former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has acquired the services of top South African defence advocate Barry Roux to lead her appeal process.
MARIENTAL - Extreme poverty fuelled by unemployment and a large number of youths dropping out of school is the dire situation faced by many communities in Namibia but more so in Stampriet, east of Mariental.
WINDHOEK – The ruling Swapo Party yesterday blamed its electoral defeats in Keetmanshoop and Walvis Bay on the low turnout of voters in Wednesday’s by-elections.
WINDHOEK - Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday announced that the medical doctor, who allegedly decapitated a baby during birth at the Windhoek Central Hospital last year, has been reinstated.
RUNDU – The Rundu intermediate hospital, which caters for referrals from the Kavango East, Kavango West and the Zambezi regions, has a critical shortage of doctors.
RUNDU - Parents and teachers have appealed to the authorities to provide additional classrooms as an interim relief measure to the overcrowding at Ndama Combined School at Rundu.
WINDHOEK – Independent presidential candidate Dr Panduleni Itula and four others will have to provide strong evidence of electoral manipulation in their bid to have the results of the November 2019 presidential election overturned, say commentators.
WINDHOEK - A low voter turnout marred the Khomasdal constituency by-election in Windhoek yesterday. However, officials were not surprised by the low turnout.
WINDHOEK - Since the start of the 2019/2020 marketing season in May last year, imports for cereal grains were received to cover the domestic shortfall.
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OMUTHIYA - The Oshikoto regional council says it plans to cease distribution of fodder beyond the current available batch following a lack of interest from local farmers.
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WINDHOEK - The country’s official opposition, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has joined the chorus of some Namibians in rejecting the mooted plans to introduce KiSwahili as an optional language in local schools by next year.
OMUTHIYA - Drought relief fodder stored at the Oshikoto regional council has been spoiled by the recent good rains, as some registered farmers seemingly abandoned the programme.
WALVIS BAY - At least 600 learners that were on the waiting list for Grade 1 at Walvis Bay are unlikely to be accommodated, as no extra classrooms were built to accommodate them.
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WINDHOEK – Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha says the implementation of the new revised national curriculum has the potential to widen the gap between the rich and poor.
WINDHOEK - With heavy rains being experienced countrywide and into neighbouring countries, the Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu confirmed that some parts of the region, especially in the Kabbe South constituency have already been flooded.
OMUTHIYA - The Namibia Traffic Information System (NaTIS) will soon be operational in Omuthiya with registration, says acting town council CEO Simon Nghuulondo.
WINDHOEK - The Omusati education directorate has thrown more than 900 learners a lifeline after it revoked a directive recalling transferred Grade 9 learners from Grade 10. The directorate made a dramatic U-turn yesterday following public outrage.
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WINDHOEK - The ruling party has reacted angrily to a media report, which suggested that its top leadership snubbed Swapo Walvis Bay Urban by-election candidate.
WINDHOEK – The state is still opposing the release on bail of a teacher who stands accused of stabbing his wife multiple times and slitting her stomach to death in April last year.
RUNDU - The All People’s Party (APP) say although they have retained their two seats in the National Assembly following the 28 November general election last year, the party’s poor performance was largely attributed to lack of funds.
KEETMANSHOOP - The ruling party has appealed to registered voters to go out in numbers and vote for Festus Shilimela as the next Keetmanshoop Urban constituency councillor.
WINDHOEK - Despite the absence of critical textbooks and upsetting conditions of her school, learning never stopped for Taimi Asino.
WINDHOEK - English professor Jairos Kangira has welcomed calls for a conference on the subject, saying the current poor pass rate was alarming and a cause of concern to all stakeholders.
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WINDHOEK – Former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau and his co-accused have set out to prove that their release from detention is of urgency despite the High Court ruling otherwise in December last year.
WALVIS BAY - The Swapo Party pulled out all the stops to rally behind their candidate Sirie Topulathana for the Walvis Bay Urban constituency by-election slated for Wednesday, with Founding President Sam Nujoma endorsing the youthful candidate on Saturday.
OUTAPI - Expectant mothers and jobseekers who are mostly Angolan nationals have turned a portion of land next to the Outapi district hospital into an informal settlement.
Rundu - The Kavango East Regional Farmers Union (Kerfu) has made an impassionate plea to the incoming Meatco CEO Mushokabanji Mwilima to consider the reopening of the Rundu abattoir.
WINDHOEK - More than 10 500 learners, out of 24 932, who sat for the Grade 12 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Ordinary Level examination last year, qualify for admission to tertiary institutions for degree courses.
WINDHOEK - The country’s top grade 12 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Ordinary Level performers were showered with praises yesterday.
WALVIS BAY - The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has been heavily criticised by stakeholders at the coast ahead of next week’s Walvis Bay Urban by-election.
USAKOS - Small miners of Uiba-Oas Small-Scale Miners’ Cooperative situated between Usakos and Arandis say they are struggling to make ends meet as the selling of precious stones is proving to be challenging.
RUNDU – Farmers in the Zambezi Region have nowhere to sell their livestock as the region lacks a functional abattoir.
WINDHOEK - International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday diplomatically condemned the killing of the Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike in Baghdad last week.
KATIMA MULILO - Fruit hawkers from the Zambezi Region are petitioning governement to address their plight after the agriculture ministry banned the transportation of mangoes from the region to other parts of the country last year.
WINDHOEK - Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi admitted she was now entrusted with a bigger responsibility following her promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner.
WINDHOEK - Despite Windhoek residents achieving a water-saving target of 14 percent last week, the city has implored consumers to show unprecedented levels of cooperation in the coming months.
OSHAKATI - The Shack Dwellers Federation, which has so far constructed over 5 000 houses countrywide since its inception, has set a target to build 700 homes in the 2019/2020 financial year.
ONDANGWA - A 35-year-old mother who delivered triplets at Onandjokwe last year has appealed for support to help raise her children.
WINDHOEK - Economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions imposed by the United States (US) against Iran are set to be holding up the N$150 million tractor assembly plant that has been earmarked for Windhoek.
WINDHOEK - Regional council by-elections for Gobabis, Keetmanshoop Urban, Khomasdal and Walvis Bay Urban constituencies set for next week Wednesday will cost the Electoral Commission of Namibia N$5.6 million.
WINDHOEK - Meatco’s new CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji faces a daunting task when he takes over the corporation next month, public enterprises minister Leon Jooste said yesterday.
SWAKOPMUND - Thousands of holidaymakers descended on Namibia’s coastal towns of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay over the summer holiday.
WINDHOEK - The ministry of education says it will introduce KiSwahili as an optional language in schools by next year.
WINDHOEK - Four new Swapo leaders were sworn in as members of the National Assembly yesterday to replace former cabinet ministers Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala, among others
RUNDU - Drought-affected farmers in the Kavango East and West regions have been implored to capitalise on the good rainfall received in the regions.
New Era editor Chrispin Inambao interviewed the Ambassador of Iran to Namibia, H.E Vahid Karimi, in the aftermath of the recent assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani by US armed forces in Iraqi.
WINDHOEK - Professionals working with adolescents suffering from drug or substance disorders are honing their skills to provide family therapy.
Agribank stopped in its tracks
ECN claims Mujoro is receiving death threats
Grade 12 pupils ‘fail to meet expectations’
Church should not play hard ball on sex education
Remembering departed football icon
2019 under review: The good, the bad and ugly of Namibian sports
Air Namibia gets N$500m loan guarantee
Amathila ‘terribly disappointed’ with Esau, Shanghala
DNA evidence delays NIMT double murder case
Independent candidate to champion land delivery
Universal health coverage tops…as SADC PF Plenary meets
Namibia favourite to retain Africa Cup
GIPF’s reduction of data reserve liability frees up N$1.5bn
Fransina Kahungu: From classroom to mayor
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Esau, co-accused claim ‘political motivation’
…as councillors snub swearing-in ceremony
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Meatco gets biggest portion of Norwegian beef quota
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WINDHOEK - The Namibian government has turned desperate immigrants, who fled South Africa last month following a recent wave of xenophobic attacks, away because they are not recognised as asylum seekers.
WALVIS BAY - Unionists representing unemployed seamen have welcomed government’s intervention to help secure them jobs within the fishing industry, but they are demanding the commitment to be put in writing.
WINDHOEK – Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste said the new legislation forming part of government’s drive to reform and restructure state-owned enterprises (SOEs) would be finalised by March next year.
Windhoek - Five candidates who contested the presidential election last month, including Dr Panduleni Itula, who stood as an independent, have approached the Supreme Court to challenge the outcome, which declared incumbent President Hage Geingob as duly elected.
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ONGWEDIVA – The Ongwediva town council and the Otjinene village council yesterday signed a cooperation agreement in order to enhance capacity building, economic development as well as tourism and cultural heritage between the two councils.
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WALVIS BAY - Government will negotiate with the fishing industry in an effort to secure work for fishermen who lost their jobs during the 2015 illegal strike as well as those who were laid off after Namsov’s quota was slashed.
WINDHOEK – The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has advised President Hage Geingob to remove all tainted politicians, including those that have been convicted but given an option to pay a fine, from the Swapo parliamentary list.
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WINDHOEK - Nudo is reportedly threatening to expel its former secretary-general Meundju Jahanika and the party’s constituency councillor for Okakarara Vetaruhe Kandorozu over allegations that the pair de-campaigned against the party during the just-ended general election.
WINDHOEK - Veld fires continue to destroy grazing for livestock and game in the Zambezi region. Regional governor Lawrence Sampofu told New Era yesterday the little grass, which most farmers relied on for the survival of their livestock, have been severely affected, especially in Kabbe North constituency.
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KEETMANSHOOP - Landless People’s Movement candidate for the Keetmanshoop Urban by-election Maximiliza Minnaar says nepotism and political patronage has led to the sidelining of many Namibians.
WALVIS BAY - Hundreds of people, wearing mostly T-shirts bearing the Namibian flag, rallied yesterday in Walvis Bay to demonstrate against corruption in light of the unfolding ‘Fishrot’ scandal that has implicated former ministers and businesspeople.
WINDHOEK - The chief executive officer of the Namibia Qualifications Authority Frans Gertze was released on N$5 000 bail on Monday following his high-profile arrest for allegedly shooting his wife six times at their Pionierspark home last month.
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WINDHOEK - A group of young demonstrators on Monday demanded that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act, as amended, should be submitted to parliament to enable the anti-graft agency to be fully operational.
KALKFELD - For Fabiola Noinxas, quitting her full-time job to care for her paralysed mother in Kalkfeld was a simple choice. After her siblings complained about the responsibility, Noinxas decided to walk away from her chef position at a local lodge to become her mother’s primary caretaker.
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RUNDU - Josef Dinyando was last week re-elected as chairperson of the Divundu Village Council for the fifth consefutive time.
ONGWEDIVA - Israel Hatutale, who has been living with the HIV virus for the past 21 years, says the fight against the deadly epidemic can only be a success with the involvement of men.
WINDHOEK - Last week Friday, the Bank of Namibia (BoN) availed an additional financial contribution of N$50 million towards the implementation of the SME Financing Strategy.
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WINDHOEK- Independent presidential candidate Dr Panduleni Itula would need N$600 000 to take the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to the Supreme Court to challenge the results of the recent presidential election which saw President Hage Geingob emerge victorious with the lion’s share of votes.
WINDHOEK - Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein says government remains optimistic that growth prospects will gain traction as the implementation of the adopted measures are scaled-up.
WINDHOEK - Unemployment among disabled people stands at a record 39 percent compared to the national unemployment rate of 28 percent.
KATIMA MULILO - Fruit traders in Zambezi region have accused the ministry of agriculture of crippling their businesses, after the ministry allegedly issued a directive forbidding the export of fruits particularly mangoes from Zambia to other parts of Namibia.
OSHAKATI - Some residents of Onawa informal settlement in Oshakati were left without shelter while their belongings were destroyed when their shacks were flooded by rainwater yesterday morning.
WINDHOEK - Three Angolan women en-route to China were arrested at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) on Wednesday afternoon, with large amounts of money in US dollars amounting to over N$2 million which they did not declare with officials.
ONGWEDIVA - When he completes a five-year tenure as mayor of Helao Nafidi at the end of 2020 - having been re-elected several times, Eliaser Nghipangelwa - who was re-elected on Tuesday said he will bow out to pave way for an infusion of young blood.
ONANDHI - The rainfall that was much anticipated because of consecutive droughts has brought relief to communal farmers hard hit by the dry spells.
Our Star of the Week is the Bank of Namibia whose Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) granted some marginal relief to local consumers when it announced the repo rate will remain unchanged at 6.50 percent.
