Observer – Page 308 – Windhoek Observer

14 Apr

Renting taxi permits is illegal, Roads Authority warns

ObserverNational NewsRenting taxi permits is illegal, Roads Authority warns

Stefanus Nashama The Road Authority (RA) yesterday said it has taken notice of the prevalent renting of road public carrier permits, which it says is illegal and that those doing so risk getting prosecuted. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Roads Authority Spokesperson Hileni Fillemon called on vehicle owners interested in owning public road carrier permits to follow due process, by applying. Fillemon reiterated that members of the public should refrain from renting out permits, adding that any person may apply, in accordance with the Road Transportation Act 74, 1977, Section 12. “A person may qualify by providing a…

14 Apr

Esau begs Judge for bail,says Nghipunya used his name

ObserverMainEsau begs Judge for bail, says Nghipunya used his name

Stefanus Nashama The former Minster of Fisheries and Marine Resources and first accused in the Fishrot corruption scandal, Bernhardt Esau said his name was used by his co-accused, Mike Nghipunya, the former Fishcor Chief Executive Officer, for the distribution and selling of fishing quotas.Esau testified before Judge David Munsu in the Windhoek High Court yesterday, on the third day of his formal bail application. “My name was used to facilitate instruction for payment to Sisa Namandje. My name was also used to facilitate instruction to pay Maren de Klerk, and today I stand accused of things I never knew or…

13 Apr

Suspect in brutal double murder commits suicide as police approach

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Members of the Nam ibian Police were horrified when Michael Simaneka Martin, a resident of the Oshikweyo Village near Eheke committed suicide by shooting himself in the head while they were approaching him for questioning. Martin is accused of killing two of his colleagues on Tuesday, before fleeing to the north. The horrific suicide was also witnessed by members of Martin’s family. According to the incident report provided by the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the 30-year-old Martin was the main suspect in the brutal murder of 22-year-old Visser Bock and his 30-year-old brother Albertus Bock.…

13 Apr

Namibian Parliamentarians failing to be proactive

ObserverNational NewsElma Dienda, Namibian Parliamentarians failing to be proactive

Martin Endjala Popular Democratic Movement Parliamentarian, Elma Dienda said parliamentarians are failing to be proactive as they continuously repeat talking points in parliamentary sessions. She has since urged MPs to “up their game”. She also said that members move on to new discussions without successfully concluding the previous discussions. She said this during a parliament session yesterday while contributing to a motion calling for flood control measures and an approach to flood management in flood-prone areas. The discussion follows the recent floods experienced in northern Namibia. “It is time that we become awake to the situation and not act after…

13 Apr

Unemployment of fishermen redressed

ObserverNational NewsUnemployment of fishermen redressed

Niël Terblanché Almost 600 workers in the fishing industry have been re-employed after signing contracts with four fishing companies in Walvis Bay recently. The re-employment of the 581 fishermen is part of an effort by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and various fishing companies to mitigate the devastating effects of the mass lay-offs that occurred in the wake of the Fishrot debacle. At the time, nearly 5 000 workers lost their jobs and a majority of the former workers have been protesting the devastation to their lives at the soccer stadium in the Kuisebmond neighborhood of Walvis Bay…

13 Apr

Nigel Van Wyk insists prosecution is selective

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama Nigel Van Wyk, who reportedly earned a salary of over N$40 000 as an employee of disgraced former Justice Minister Sakeus Shanghala, yesterday accused the office of the Prosecutor General of being selective, biased, and executing an unfair prosecution. Van Wyk, who is charged alongside Shanghala and other Fishrot accused persons faces serious charges of classic money laundering and obstructing the course of justice. Van Wyk, through his Lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji, said prior to his arrest, he was not given time to explain himself. His bail application is before Judge David Munsu. He, alongside former Fisheries Bernard Esau…

13 Apr

Judiciary Defends Zimbabwean Judge’s Supreme Court Appointment

ObserverNational NewsJudiciary Defends Zimbabwean Judge’s Supreme Court Appointment, Rita Makarau

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Following a backlash by opposition parties in appointing Zimbabwean judge, Rita Makarau as an acting judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia, the Judicial Service Commission yesterday justified the appointment, saying Makarau’s appointment was based on the Commission’s recommendation and her prior judicial experience in the position, having worked as a Judge President and a Judge in the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. The Commission’s Secretary, Sakeus Akwenda reiterated that President Hage Geingob’s appointment of Makarau, who is the former Chairperson of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission was made after the recommendation. Makarau, he said, worked as a Prosecutor and…

13 Apr

Namibia among the world’s highest spenders on education

ObserverMainNamibia among the world’s highest spenders on education

Staff Writer Namibia has been rated among the countries with the highest expenditure on education, with an average expenditure per learner of US$1,190.00(N$ 21,860.30). A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) said Namibia devotes a significant share of its budget towards the education of children, with an annual average spending of 20.7 percent of the total budget and 7.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Namibia is ranked the 3rd highest spender in the East and Southern Africa Region. The report says Namibia’s overall spending on education is relatively high to improve quality of education. Shockingly, last year, grade…

12 Apr

Prisons boss unhappy with Nampol “taking up” NCS officers’ jobs at peacekeeping missions

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Deputy Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS), Sam Shaalulange has expressed disappointment at the lack of representation of Correctional Officers at peacekeeping missions of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). According to him, Namibia currently only has one Correctional Service Officer deployed at the UN Mission in South Sudan. He says Police Officers, while deployed at peacekeeping missions are taking over duties intended for Correctional Officers, resulting into a lack of representation of the service at peacekeeping missions. “The Police, Defence and Correctional services all have…

12 Apr

New HIV medication improves the lives of over 11 000 kids

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja At least 11 700 children living with HIV in Namibia were able to improve their health while on a new treatment regimen for HIV-positive children and adolescents. The antiretroviral therapy known as the Dolutegravir-based (DTG) regimen, was introduced by the Ministry of Health and Social Services last year and is said to be more effective at suppressing HIV viral loads, less likely to cause side effects, easier to take, and is better tasting than other medicines for children. The introduction of this new medicine in Namibia was achieved through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health’s partners…