Observer – Page 355 – Windhoek Observer

18 Jan

NamRa tax fraud increases to N$136 million

ObserverNational NewsJarukeekuro Steven Ndorokaze, NamRa tax fraud increases to N$136 million

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) has discovered over N$ 136 million has been defrauded from the Agency through provisional tax refunds, a significant increase from the N$36 million announced mid-2022 before the agency moved to effect a moratorium on refunds in an effort to crack down on fraudsters. NamRa’s Chief Strategic Communications and Support Engagements Officer, Jarukeekuro Steven Ndorokaze, says as of 10 January, 2023, a total of 921 taxpayers had been implicated in the scam, which has increased from 409 as reported in July 2022. He adds these taxpayers are employees of 56 institutions ranging from private…

18 Jan

NYS pays its workers’ wages

ObserverNational NewsNYS pays its workers’ wages, Public Relations Officer Belinda Hamburee

Martin Endjala The National Youth Service today resolved to pay the salaries of the Youth Security Service (YSS) following a petition handed over yesterday to management demanding their December salary amongst other things. This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer Belinda Hamburee, who said that the delay in the payment was due to their clients not paying due to financial constraints. “You will receive your salary today, latest 14:00. You have been embarking on a strike without following legal procedures since yesterday. Therefore, your strike or absence from work is illegal. Management therefore advises you to return to your…

18 Jan

Education Ministry plans for mass teacher transfer to mitigate understaffing

ObserverNational NewsEducation Ministry plans for mass teacher transfer to mitigate understaffing, Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), Steenkamp

Tujoromajo Kasuto Sanet Steenkamp, executive director of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, states that the ministry is investigating the issue of understaffing in public schools and is awaiting the 15th-day figures before allocating and transferring teachers from overstaffed to understaffed schools. According to Steenkamp, the Ministry has created an expedited infrastructure development plan to address the issue of spacing, and the regional directors of education are working on a three-year plan to address the understaffing of teachers by transferring teachers from a school that is overstaffed. “This is a continuous process that requires skilful planning and execution as…

18 Jan

MultiChoice talent factory makes dreams of 60 students true

ObserverNational NewsMultiChoice Namibia Managing Director, MultiChoice talent factory makes dreams of 60 students true

Martin Endjala MultiChoice Namibia has announced 60 students, including six Namibian aspiring Filmmakers will be funded for the Class of 2023.This is through its 12-month fully funded education programme. The Academy received thousands of applications across 13 countries in Africa, and said that a rigorous selection process ensued in which 60 aspiring filmmakers have been selected to be part of the MTF’s 12-month training programme including both theory and hands-on experience in filmmaking from scriptwriting to cinematography, editing and audio post-production.MultiChoice Namibia Managing Director, Roger Gertze, says their commitment is not only to tell authentic African stories as Africa’s most…

18 Jan

Medical university unaccredited

ObserverNational NewsHealth Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA), Medical university unaccredited

The Windhoek Medical University has seized all media advertisements on Professional (Registrable) Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs subsequent to Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) putting out a notice that courses advertised are not approved by the Councils as required by the relevant Acts. “Windhoek Medical University has suspended all media advertisement on Professional programmes as it is still in the process to comply with regulatory guidelines for institutional registration and accreditation.Windhoek Medical University attest that no students has been registered for Professional Certificate, Diploma and Degree course,” said the university. The university said it is currently only running one…

18 Jan

Walter Mostert applying to have prosecution against him withdrawn

ObserverNational Newsa former Magistrate, Salomon Kanyemba, Walter Mostert

Walter Mostert, a former Magistrate accused of illegally assisting a South African family to obtain Namibian citizenship, in exchange for a bribe of N$ 340 000 is now applying to have the prosecution against him withdrawn, in a hearing that began today before the high court. Mostert, who stands represented by Salomon Kanyemba was also accused of escaping from police custody. In his application, he denies escaping from custody and claims his arrest was unlawful, in that he was not presented with a copy of the arrest warrant. In his heads of argument, Mostert claims the Anti corruption commission is…

17 Jan

Nangombe denies Engela crisis

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Engela District Hospital, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Nangombe denies Engela crisis

Tujoromajo Kasuto Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, has denied allegations made by PDM member of parliament Hidipo Hamata that doctors at the Engela Hospital utilize mobile phone flashlights due to power outages, a lack of sewerage, and a lack of washing services. Hamata further claimed that the hospital’s washing service is inoperable. According to Nangombe, the Engela District Hospital has two standby power generators. “One is fully operational and the other is undergoing maintenance as conductors on one of the generators were burnt during a thunderstorm. According to Hospital Management, there has been…

Ohangwena to host Urgent disaster<br>risk management meeting tomorrow

17 Jan

Ohangwena to host Urgent disaster
risk management meeting tomorrow

ObserverNational Newsand Land Reform, Ministry of Agriculture, Ohangwena to host Urgent disaster risk management meeting tomorrow, Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee, Water

Martin Endjala The Ohangwena Regional Council has called an urgent extra-ordinary Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee meeting (RDRMC) tomorrow, amidst the flash floods in the region. The meeting will take place at the Eenhana Convention center, with the aim of discussing interventions to mitigate the situation and possible measures, Chief Regional Officer Fillipus Shilongo said. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform today said that no fatalities or damages to infrastructure have been reported due to the ongoing flood in Ohangwena region. Ministry Spokesperson Jona Musheko has since called on people to take their livestock to high grounds, escort…

17 Jan

MPs on a five-day workshop in Swakopmund

ObserverNational NewsLegislation, MPs on a five-day workshop in Swakopmund, Oversight and Representation, Peter Katjavivi

Martin Endjala Members of parliament are currently undergoing a five-day workshop in Swakopmund to review, discuss and engage on its standing rules and orders. The reviewing and updating of parliamentary rules are said to ensure that the legislative processes are efficient, transparent, and in line with the evolving needs of the electorate and the nation at large. “Our operations, rules and procedures must be aligned to smoothen the execution of our mandate as the Legislature, this being the core function of Parliament. These core functions comprise Legislation, Oversight and Representation”, these were the words of national assembly speaker Peter katjavivi.…

16 Jan

NIDA boss suspended

ObserverNational NewsBoard Chairperson Sebby Kankondi, NIDA boss suspended, Phillip Namundjebo as Acting CEO

Tujoromajo Kasuto Mihe Goamab ll, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA), has been suspended pending the completion of an internal process. According to Board Chairperson Sebby Kankondi, the reasons for his suspension are private and cannot be disclosed. The Board in the meantime has appointed Phillip Namundjebo as Acting CEO until further notice. “The Board calls on calm and focus, even during this time. Assurance can be accorded to both Management and Staff, that the Agency will remain procedural and fair in all its engagements with the CEO, regarding this matter and the process will…