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AG told defence ministry to pay Enercon forex fees 

AG told defence ministry to pay Enercon forex fees 

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of defence and veteran affairs (MoDVA) is legally obliged to pay Enercon Namibia PTY Ltd monthly service bureau charges dating back to 2016, a legal opinion has found. The opinion, dated 19 December 2024 and addressed to minister Frans Kapofi by attorney general Festus Mbandeka, states that the charges are contractually owed regardless of whether Enercon rendered services during the period. “Service bureau charges are a fixed amount which becomes owing at the completion of each contractually stipulated time. A service bureau company, Enercon in this instance, agrees to provide services during that period, each month…
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Procurement code risks to favour politically connected – Expert

Procurement code risks to favour politically connected – Expert

Justicia Shipena Procurement expert Mirjam Bauleth-Nashima has warned that without strong checks and balances, politically connected individuals could exploit the new code of good practices under the Public Procurement Act of 2015. The government recently announced amendments to the act to introduce guidelines that will give preferential treatment to SMEs, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and previously disadvantaged individuals. The announcement was made by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the third ministerial regional business engagement in the Zambezi Region. Bauleth-Nashima said the code aims to promote fairness but warned against sacrificing quality and cost. “The government’s intention…
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Is it lost keys or lost leadership? A credulous excuse of a failed councillor.

Is it lost keys or lost leadership? A credulous excuse of a failed councillor.

Sem Billy David I  On 5 August, the Samora Machel Constituency Regional Councillor, Hon. Nestor Kalola, offered one of the most incredulous reasons for being absent from his office: “the office key was lost.” This reasoning is both reckless and an insult to the intelligence of the very people he was elected to serve. A difficult question arises: what if his cellphone had been locked inside that same office – would he not have urgently found a way to retrieve it? The excuse is nothing more than a fabrication to cover up poor leadership and failure in office. As an…
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TransNamib pleas rejected in land dispute

TransNamib pleas rejected in land dispute

Allexer Namundjebo The High Court has dismissed three special pleas raised by TransNamib Holdings Limited in its long-running dispute with Marmorwerke Karibib (Pty) Ltd over the transfer of land dating back more than 30 years. The dispute stems from a written agreement in 1992/1993 for the sale of immovable property owned by TransNamib.  The purchase price was N$3 000, with Marmorwerke covering the costs of subdivision, surveying, and registration.  Marmorwerke took possession of the land on 1 April 1993, pending transfer and said it fulfilled its obligations. TransNamib, however, according to court documents, failed to complete the transfer despite repeated…
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AR demands investigation into buried drought food at Otavi 

AR demands investigation into buried drought food at Otavi 

Allexer Namundjebo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement in Otjozondjupa region has condemned what it calls a systemic failure in the distribution of drought relief food in the Otavi Constituency after buried cans of suspected drought relief fish were discovered near Gabus Lodge on Friday. According to the police, an unspecified quantity of canned fish was uncovered along a gravel road by residents, who alerted law enforcement and the Otjozondjupa Regional Council. AR said the incident reflects a recurring crisis where expired food aid is wasted instead of reaching those in need.  In a statement on Monday, the movement described the…
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Proposed offshore regulator seeks authority to penalise oil firms

Proposed offshore regulator seeks authority to penalise oil firms

Chamwe Kaira  A proposed offshore petroleum safety regulator wants to have the power to impose fines and penalties and shut down operations when necessary in the oil and gas sector.  The regulator would go beyond compliance and safety audits by enforcing strict measures to ensure accountability in the sector. “The Offshore Petroleum Safety Regulatory body will not just oversee compliance and conduct safety audits but will have the authority to impose penalties, fines and shutdown operations when necessary,” said the founder of the Erongo Offshore Safety Conference, Knowledge Ipinge, who recently spoke at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in…
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Buffalo project extends MTC’s digital inclusion drive

Buffalo project extends MTC’s digital inclusion drive

Staff Writer Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has intensified its commitment to digital inclusion with the launch of a rural network optimisation initiative following a comprehensive audit in northern Namibia. The audit covered more than 2 000 kilometres across Outapi, Oshakati, Rundu, and Katima Mulilo.  It aimed to identify coverage gaps and service quality challenges in underserved and uncovered rural areas, where customer complaints about poor signal and inconsistent data access have been increasing. Led by MTC's chief for technology and information, Monica Nehemia, and conducted in collaboration with network partner Huawei, the audit revealed infrastructural and technical shortcomings.  Some towers…
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Momentum Namibia retains best life insurer award

Momentum Namibia retains best life insurer award

Staff Writer  Momentum Metropolitan Namibia has been named best life insurance company of the year for the second consecutive year at the Momentum Africa Awards. Out of 41 awards across Africa, Namibia secured 24, leading the continent in recognition.  “This achievement is not only a triumph for our business, but it is a victory for every Namibian who entrusts us with their future. It is their dreams, their resilience and their belief in us that drive our success,” Momentum said in its announcement on Monday. “This recognition reflects the collective strength of Namibian excellence. From Windhoek to every corner of…
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Consumers urged to report retailers rejecting five-cent coin

Consumers urged to report retailers rejecting five-cent coin

Allexer Namundjebo The director of banking services at the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Sencia Kaizemi-Rukata, says any shop or merchant refusing to accept the five-cent coin  should be reported. She reminded retailers that the coin remains legal tender.  Kaizemi-Rukata was speaking at the economic reporting workshop hosted by BoN on Monday. “If there is any shop refusing to accept the coin or South African rand, those shops must be reported so that appropriate actions are taken,” she said.  She stressed that although the minting of the five-cent  coin stopped in 2018, it has not affected its legal status. “The five-cent…
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Tourism’s Crown Jewel or National Embarrassment? Time to Decide on NWR

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has come out swinging against the board and management of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). In a scathing letter, she accused them of gross incompetence, governance failures, and effectively allowing the company to slide into “operational paralysis.” Her frustration is justified. After more than four months in office, she has not received a single formal report on governance, operations, or finances from NWR. No budget, no audited financials, no strategic plan. Nothing. This is not just sloppy administration, this is negligence at the highest level of a state-owned company entrusted with some of…
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