Blog – Page 948 – News Stand

13 Mar

AstraZeneca faces mounting bans

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAstraZeneca, Kalumbi Shangula

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Rose-Mary Haufiku Controversy continues to dog the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as several European countries suspending the use of AstraZeneca vaccine. Despite Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, remaining adamant that Government will go ahead with the procurement of the controversial vaccine through the COVAX facility. European media have been carrying reports that the AstraZeneca vaccine caused thromboembolic events or blood clots among some individuals who received the jab. Three of 17 European countries that have received the AstraZeneca vaccine (Denmark, Norway and Iceland) have, as a precautionary measure, stopped administering the vaccine while Italy,…

13 Mar

Former SME Bank employees demand N$67m from Government

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedFormer SME Bank employees, Iipumbu Shiimi, Leon Jooste, N$67m

Andrew Kathindi Former employees of the now defunct SME Bank are demanding over N$67 million from Government in payment at the value of 12 months’ salary. According to the 208 former employees of the bank, the claim is supported by the recent decision by Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, to pay out Air Namibia employees’ salaries for one year. The SME Bank employees received their termination of service letters on 25 July 2017, with some only receiving accrued annual leave days, pro-rata bonuses, severance pay and five years long service award for those eligible. “There was no retrenchment package. Nothing at…

13 Mar

Govt plans Addis murder accused repatriation

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedBertha Amakali, Ethiopian Police, Govt plans Addis murder accused repatriation, MIRCO

Maria Hamutenya Namibia is planning to evoke diplomatic immunity for murder accused, Kristofina Amutenya, who allegedly strangled her three children, killing two of them. According to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) spokesperson, Bertha Amakali, MIRCO was informed by the Namibian Embassy in Addis Ababa that the Ethiopian Police has finalised investigations and submitted a report to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The relevant stakeholders, the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office are finalising the case, at which point the Namibian authorities will be requested to accompany the suspect in question home,” said Amakali.…

12 Mar

Bank Windhoek fires manager for racist remarks

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank Windhoek, Capricorn Group, Riaan Van Rooyen

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Bank Windhoek has dismissed its suspended Sales Manager, Riaan Van Rooyen, for sharing a racially offensive post on his social media last year, which equated black people to monkeys. Van Rooyen had been suspended by the bank, pending an investigation into his conduct. “We wish to confirm that the individual in question has been dismissed. Bank Windhoek and Capricorn Group would like to reiterate its policy of zero tolerance towards any form of behaviour that does not conform to internal policies, and does not speak to our values that underpin ethical business conduct from any employee at any…

12 Mar

Recalled councillors snub LPM meeting

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDaniel Gariseb, Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Rogetta Haak

Maria Hamutenya Former Mariental town councillors, Daniel Gariseb and Rogetta Haak, have snubbed a request from the Landless People's Movement (LPM) to meet and discuss, demanding only the withdrawal of the party decision. The two were recalled by the opposition party from the Mariental town council for allegedly colluding with the ruling Swapo party. The LPM, through their lawyers, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc, wrote to the former councillor’s lawyer, Richard Metcalfe, requesting their availability and willingness to meet on Wednesday. In response, the request was turned down by the recalled councillors, stating in their letter that they will…

12 Mar

Air Namibia workers to get lump sum payment

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Finance minister, Iipumpu Shiimi

Andrew Kathindi Air Namibia employees are set to receive a lump sum payment for their promised one year salary which government had committed to pay after the airline was placed under liquidation, Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste, has confirmed. Air Namibia employees were informed by Bruni & Mclaren, the appointed liquidators of Air Namibia, that their last salaries will be paid at the end of March, and that any other amounts which they feel they may be entitled to should be submitted as claims to the liquidators. “The Air Namibia employees will receive their full severance packages from the liquidators.…

11 Mar

More routes for NAC airports

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAirlink, NAC

Staff Writer Airlink, the privately-owned regional airline has commenced with a new direct service between Cape Town and Walvis Bay scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The new route which started on 02 March 2021, is Airlink’s fourth between South Africa and Namibia, with other services linking Cape Town and Windhoek in addition to flights from Johannesburg to Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The route will also enable seamless multi-city travel itineraries for international and local tourists visiting popular destinations in Namibia and South Africa. This comes as another privately-owned airline FlyWestair intends on increasing their frequencies to Andimba Toivo Ya…

11 Mar

Government to push ahead with AstraZeneca …despite confirming presence of resistant variant

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAstraZeneca, COVAX, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi and Kandjemuni Kamuiiri The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is forging ahead with the procurement of AstraZeneca through the COVAX Facility, despite confirming that the South African variant of COVID-19 known as 501.V2, is in Namibia. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula confirmed to Windhoek Observer that the Namibia will still receive AstraZeneca through the COVAX Facility, but, however downplayed its ineffectiveness against the variant. On why Namibia is going ahead with procuring a vaccine that studies deemed ineffective, Shangula said, “No, no, don't say so. You have no evidence or grounds to say it is useless. Those…

11 Mar

Defence Ministry dragged to court over N$8m sanitisers

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyJob Amupanda, Ministry of Defence, Phoenix Capital Investment, Windhoek Mayor

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Amid swelling allegations by Windhoek Mayor, Job Amupanda, of irregular procurement at Ministry of Defence, it has emerged Phoenix Capital Investment, the company at the centre of the sanitiser supply tender, has dragged the Ministry to court over non-payment for sanitisers delivered more than five months ago. According to Phoenix Capital Investment Director, William Angula, the company which has enlisted Sisa Namandje as its lawyer, is seeking to recover N$ N$8 311 625 owed for the sanitisers delivered. “We have written them a letter of demand through our lawyer, Sisa Namandje, about two weeks ago, informing them of…

10 Mar

Three years later Mental Health Bill still not finalised

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMinistry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Rose-Mary Haufiku More than three years after Cabinet approved a Mental Health Bill, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is yet to finalise and submit it to Parliament. Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the reforming and implementation of the new Bill is still in the process and the current Bill will be repelled. “We have been in consultation with various stake holders and we are now finalising the Bill, then it will go through to the Parliament.” He was however mum on when this would be done and how much…