Observer

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Leaked report exposes high-level fraud attempt

Leaked report exposes high-level fraud attempt

Niël Terblanché The ghost of the so-called smart city deal between the City of Windhoek and Huawei Communications has come back to haunt the parties involved with serious allegations of fraud, attempted fraud and corruption involving millions of dollars at the highest levels. The leaked document, marked “Extremely Confidential” and dated 27 January 2021 deals with what appears to be a concerted effort by numerous parties to defraud not only the residents of Windhoek but the City of Windhoek itself. The report raises the concern of possible high-level fraud and corruption. The saga started in 2020 when Paratus Telecom protested…
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‘SWAPO will build a better future’

‘SWAPO will build a better future’

Niël Terblanché Namibians must build a better future by embracing the second phase of the struggle and making it their mission to bring about socio-economic emancipation. President Hage Geingob, in his capacity as the President of the SWAPO Party, during the 63rd commemoration of the governing party’s existence at Grootfontein on Saturday, said his wish as the head of the organisation is for Namibians to continue and to complete the important work of the second phase of the struggle. “Our work is not done, but if there is something that the past 63 years have told us - only the…
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PM involved in crash, three seriously injured

PM involved in crash, three seriously injured

Niël Terblanché The Prime Minister of Namibia, Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila was rushed to hospital for observation after her official vehicle collided with a mini bus, some 15 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo, yesterday afternoon. Three officials from the Electoral Commission of Namibia are said to have sustained serious injuries. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and her driver escaped the accident unharmed. The three officials have since been transported to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital. An eyewitness reported that the ECN minibus crashed into the back of a vehicle transporting tourists. “The driver of the minibus with GRN number plates lost control over the vehicle and it slammed…
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Roman Catholic Church concerned about poor service delivery

Roman Catholic Church concerned about poor service delivery

Stefanus Nashama The Roman Catholic Church says it is deeply concerned about the poor implementation, performance and outcomes of public health and police services. The Church held the Namibian Catholic Bishops Conference (NCBC)’ on 13 April to analyse and comment on the National Budget tabled by Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, on 22 February 2023. The Church said the concern is brought about by the fact that the majority of people especially the poor cannot afford private services, thus they rely on the public sector for basic human needs such as education, health and public safety. NCBC President Archbishop, Liborius Ndumbukuti…
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NamRa recognises taxpayers and traders

NamRa recognises taxpayers and traders

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) held the second taxpayer and trader awards, honouring individuals, and institutions from the public and private sectors for their commitment in paying tax revenue.The appreciation event took place at Droombos on 19 April, where De Beers Marine Namibia (Pty) was awarded five accolades for being the highest revenue contributor while Anheuser Bush Inbev Namibia Breweries (Pty) Ltd. took the second place. De Beers Marine Namibia (PTY) and Anheuser Bush InbevNamibia Breweries (PTY) Ltd also received tokens of appreciation of N$20,000 each, to give to any charities of their choice. According to a current…
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Late applications delay telecommunication permits

Late applications delay telecommunication permits

Martin Endjala The issuing of telecommunication permits, better known as Type Approval Certificates, has been delayed because business owners did not apply on time or prior to the importation date of their goods, especially the orders of vendors. Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) Executive Communication and Consumer Relations, Katrina Sikeni responding to questions on issuing permits and concerns about delays said that the duration to process of Type Approval certification is dependent on the type of equipment and the completeness of the application form and supporting documentation submitted. “However, in the instance that the application form is complete and…
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SPYL sued over alleged debt of N$14 million

SPYL sued over alleged debt of N$14 million

The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) finds itself in a legal battle after being dragged to High Court by a local close corporation, True Media Trading for allegedly failing to pay N$14 million and for breaching a contract of an integrated electronic system. It is alleged that SPYL failed to honour an agreement by not paying N$14 million for services rendered by True Media Trading. Court documents suggest that in 2018, the parties entered into an agreement that contracted True Media Trading to supply and install an integrated membership system at various Swapo offices, but the youth league allegedly failed…
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Genocide officially commemorated in Lüdeirtz

Genocide officially commemorated in Lüdeirtz

Niël Terblanché The genocide perpetrated against the Nama and Herero people while Namibia was under the colonial rule of Germany at the beginning of the previous century has for the first time been officially commemorated by the descendants of the victims. The date of the event is crucial because, on 22nd April 1905, German General Lothar von Trotha issued his Extermination order against the Nama people. A three-day event that started on Friday and culminated on Sunday was held at Lüderitz where the leaders of the Nama and Ovaherero traditional authorities, Gaob Johannes Isaack and Paramount Chief Professor Mutjinde Katjiua,…
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Number of tourists visiting Namibia increasing

Number of tourists visiting Namibia increasing

Martin Endjala There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the tourism sector after the devastating calamity which has rocked the sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent reports indicate that tourist inflows still look promising and set for further growth in 2023 with the number of foreign arrivals averaging 11 431 per month during the first two months of 2023, compared to a monthly average of 5 223 in the first two months of 2022. According to Simonis and Storm’s Namibian Tourism Industry Report issued last week, foreign arrivals have increased by 107 percent in February 2023,…
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Namibia NOT in China’s Pocket

Namibia NOT in China’s Pocket

Niël Terblanché Reports and statements wanting to create a picture of Namibia being sold out to China by accepting too many loans are factually incorrect and deceptive. Despite Namibia finding itself in a situation where public debt has reached levels, only a small percentage of the total debt is owed to China. The country has never owed more than three percent of the total debt to China and the last loan of any significance from that country was given in 2017. According to the World Economic Forum, Namibia is at the bottom of a list of 20 countries where foreign-funded…
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