Windhoek Observer – Page 805 – Windhoek Observer

31 Mar

Weaponizing the police to silence Comalie

Editorial

The suggestion that the police were weaponized to scare or distract National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) board Chairperson Jennifer Comalie away from taking action to address a disputed N$100 million payment to Sonangol, the Angolan national oil company, forces all of us to sit up and take notice. If N$57,000 in illegal narcotics were planted in Chairperson Comalie’s car and the police were anonymously tipped off as a part of a frame game, Namibian infighting and backstabbing in the halls of power have reached a new low.This entire saga is unfolding in the news daily, and background information fueling…

31 Mar

Freshly recruited NDF soldiers are not fit enough

MainFreshly recruited NDF soldiers are not fit enough

Martin Endjala The Minister of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Frans Kapofi, has expressed concerns about young people’s health which seems to be deteriorating as it has come to his attention that some of the 1 300 new recruits of the October 2022 intake have quit training due to unfitness and related health conditions. Kapofi said that the number of original recruits was reduced because some of them have voluntarily dropped out of training. The minister described the behaviour as very alarming given the fact that the young recruits were laying the foundation for others to follow suit and some of…

30 Mar

BoN pays N$413.7m dividends to the government

Observer MoneyBoN pays N$413.7m dividends to the government, Johannes !Gawaxab

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia yesterday announced its dividends to the government amounts N$413.7 million after its operating profit increased by 11.5 percent from N$584.2 million in 2021 to N$651.2 million in 2022. Dividends paid to the government were made possible after the central banks’ reserves increased from N$672 million in 2021 to N$772 million in 2022, the central bank’s Governor Johannes !Gawaxab announced during the annual report launch for 2022 under the theme of global economic shocks, rewiring Namibia to bolster resilience. The Governor also indicated that the domestic economy has shown a slight growth of 4.6 percent…

30 Mar

Corporate victimisation is strongly condemned

National NewsCorporate victimisation is strongly condemned, Namibian Petroleum Corporation, Ruth Herunga

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Women Lawyer Association has in the strongest possible terms pronounced itself on corporate victimisation in the wake of the arrest of Jennifer Comalie, the chairperson of the Namibian Petroleum Corporation on charges related to the possession of illicit drugs. The chairperson of the NWLA, Ruth Herunga said in a statement that the recent events leading up to and including the arrest and subsequent detention of Comalie have sparked deep concern among the members of the association. “Our organization is committed to upholding the Rule of Law in this country and shall not stand by any individual…

30 Mar

PDM wants Mulunga suspended in 48 hours

National NewsImmanuel Mulunga, PDM wants Mulunga suspended in 48 hours

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Popular Democratic Movement( PDM) has written a letter to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, demanding the suspension of the Managing Director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga. PDM President McHenry Venaani said the suspension should be enforced within the next 48 hours. He however did not specify what action would follow, in the event that Shiimi does not suspend Mulunga. It is reported that Mulunga is currently under investigation over his involvement in a payment of N$100 million to Angola, for oil blocks. “Given the nature of the current…

30 Mar

GDP records the highest-ever economic expansion

National NewsGDP records the highest-ever economic expansion

Steve Nashama The highest-ever recorded economic expansion in Namibia with nominal Gross Domestic Product was recorded in 2022. Yesterday, the Namibia Statistics Agency announced the 2022 Annual National Accounts measuring the highest size of the economy over the year. According to Alex Shimuafeni, the Statistician-General and Chief Executive Officer at NSA, the economy showed an expansion of N$22, 3 billion. The nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2022, which measures the size of the economy, is estimated at N$206, 2 billion compared to N$183, 9 billion recorded in 2021, which brings the expansion amount to N$22, 3 billion. “The Gross…

30 Mar

Hengari, Amushelelo and Nauyoma’s court case pushed to April

National News

Steve Nashama The criminal case of Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters Commissar, Michael Amushelelo, Activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Inna Hengari was postponed to 27 April 2023. The three made their second appearance in the Katutura Magistrate’s court before Magistrate Surita Savage. The state is represented by Cuthbert Lusipani. Hengari, Amushelelo and Nauyoma stand accused of contravening Sections of the Public Gathering Act, Violation of the Riotous Assembly Act, Inciting Public violence, Contempt of court, Malicious damage to state property, and Violation of a court order. It is alleged that they defied a high court order…

30 Mar

New National Children’s Heart Trust launched

National NewsNew National Children’s Heart Trust launched

Niel Terblanche Cardiac emergencies are extremely expensive which leaves many Namibians, especially parents with children that need urgent help in a desperate situation. To provide vital assistance, a very special trust has been set up. Due to limited infrastructure and resources within the paediatric cardiac service in Namibia, patients are often referred to South Africa for medical interventions, such as surgeries, through public/private outsourcing agreements. This, however, has profound financial implications, as not all families are able to afford it. The Namibia National Children’s Heart Trust was officially launched in Windhoek last Saturday. The Trust was founded to bridge the…

30 Mar

Travel to Botswana made even easier

National NewsExecutive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs Executive Director Etienne Maritz, Safety and Security, Travel to Botswana made even easier

Niël Terblanché Namibians wishing to travel to Botswana will, from 1 April 2023 be able to do so for 24 hours per day. This is according to a notice released by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, who said that the 24-hour Operation of the Trans-Kalahari and Mamuno border crossing points will be officially launched by Minister Albert Kawana and his counterpart from Botswana, Peggy Serame, on Saturday. In this regard, transport companies and travelers alike are requested to temporarily cease the movement of trucks and private vehicles from 08:00 and…

30 Mar

Police needs assistance in identifying murder victim

National Newse Erongo Police, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, Police needs assistance in identifying murder victim

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region have requested the public to assist them in identifying a man suspected to have been murdered in the DRC neighbourhood of Swakopmund during the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to the incident report provided by the head of the community affairs division of the Erongo Police, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, members of the community found the victim in Ombili Street in a pool of blood. Upon further inquiry, Inspector Shapumba said that the deceased person was found at about 01:30 and that he was fatally stabbed with a sharp object. “The…