Observer – Page 272 – Windhoek Observer

04 Jul

Synthetic diamonds negatively affect the market

ObserverObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo stressed yesterday that laboratory-produced diamonds, commonly known as synthetic diamonds, pose a danger to the natural diamond market and that robust interventions are needed to safeguard prices. “Like with other minerals, we need to continue to ask ourselves the question of whether our diamonds can contribute more to our economy. What more can we get from our diamonds? How can the diamond sector contribute more to our local economic activities?” he asked. The Minister made the remarks during the announcement of the appointment of 12 new Diamond Board Members in…

04 Jul

The ghost of Twaloloka still haunts residents

ObserverMainThe ghost of Twaloloka still haunts residents

Niël Terblanché The allocation of houses to families who fell victim to the devastating Twaloloka fire disaster almost three years ago will now be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission. The investigation by the corruption watchdog follows after a group of 21 beneficiaries of Twaloloka-Otweya houses were served with eviction notices by the Erongo Regional Governor, Neville Andre. The group is claiming that lists of beneficiaries that were compiled in the wake of the disaster have been tampered with repeatedly by the various authorities that were involved with the rehousing of the victims. The group in a letter signed by the…

04 Jul

‘Urgent’ Bills now in the hands of the National Council

ObserverNational News‘Urgent’ Bills now in the hands of the National Council

Martin Endjala The ball is now in the hands of the National Council to debate and consider the urgent bills referred to it by the National Assembly after the latter deliberated and passed the legislation in accordance with Article 75(1) of the Namibian Constitution.This was necessitated to ensure that Namibia is not greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). So far, eight urgent bills and one ordinary bill were referred last week to the National Council which resumed its 6th session yesterday and is expected to conclude on 20 July. The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Sinimbo yesterday…

04 Jul

Agriculture ministry will revise livestock databases

ObserverNational NewsAgriculture ministry will revise livestock databases

Niël Terblanché A large number of stock brands and other livestock-related information that has fallen into disuse has prompted the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reforms to revisit and revise its database. The Executive Director of the agriculture ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata in a statement said that an awareness campaign will be launched among all farmers in Namibia to update the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS). “The campaign will be undertaken by officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in collaboration with the Meat Board of Namibia from the 17th of July 2023 to the 31st of…

04 Jul

AR applies to register a political party

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has submitted its application to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to register the movement as a political party to contest in the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections, an insider revealed. According to the source, who opted to remain anonymous, the application was submitted last week and was received by the ECN. He however did not specify what the party structure will be when the AR is registered as a political party, or whether the movement’s Leader Job Amupanda will run for president on the movement’s ticket or as an independent candidate…

04 Jul

Traditional healer ‘scams’ pensioner

ObserverNational NewsTraditional healer ‘scams’ pensioner

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A well known Traditional healer from Oshana region is under investigation after a 61-year-old woman registered a case of theft with the Namibian Police, claiming that the said traditional healer swindled her out of N$116 000 last Friday. According to the Spokesperson of the Namibian Police in Oshana Region, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo, the incident happened at the traditional healer’s house in Ongwediva. “It’s alleged that the complainant has a son that is a psychiatric patient for some years now. They have also seen several traditional healers before they were referred to a certain healer,” said Aiyambo. The pensioner…

04 Jul

MP wants clarification on economic diversification

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Deputy Leader of the Landless People’s Movement, Henny Seibeb says he will face the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi on Thursday with ‘serious’ questions concerning the subject of economic diversification in Namibia. The Parliamentarian explained that economic diversification entails the expansion of the range of products offered by a country adding that it can be assessed by examining the variety of goods and services encompassed within the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the range of export commodities. “On December 7, 2022, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV…

04 Jul

Namib Mills agrees to negotiate wages

ObserverNational News

Martin Endja Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU) finally agreed to negotiate employee wages following a lengthy meeting between the two parties. The company faced a gloomy blue Monday after operations were halted when employees downed tools countrywide. The employees accused Namib Mills of refusing on numerous occasions to entertain their proposal to negotiate for an increase in their salaries. As a result, Namib Mills operations stood still, with the depots in Walvis Bay, Ondangwa, Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and Otavi being negatively impacted. Corridor and cross-border truck drivers also refused to drive and parked their trucks while stating…

04 Jul

Veteran seeks reinstatement of grant

ObserverNational NewsVeteran seeks reinstatement of grant

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The former Secretary General of the Namibia National Liberation Veterans Association (NNLVA) and Veteran of the liberation struggle, Alex Kamwi has approached the High Court of Namibia with an application to have his veterans grant reinstated by the Veterans Board. He says he applied for his grant to be reinstated from February 2019 and a payment of N$117 800 which he says is the total amount that he was not paid between February 2019 and September 2020. According to documents filed in the Windhoek High Court, Kamwi’s application for veteran status was approved in April 2009, although he…

03 Jul

DBN defends its settlement policy framework

ObserverObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has come out strongly to defend its settlement policy in events of default, saying that the bank has robust and well-developed policies that inform credit decisions. This comes after allegations from members of the public concerning the need for a broader appreciation of the Bank settlement policy in the event of default. As a result, the bank has come out to reassure its clients and the public that it conducts its operations within the approved policy framework and in line with relevant legal instruments. According to DBN’s Chief Executive Officer, Martin Inkumbi,…