Main – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

05 Apr

Modern day slavery in Namibia

ObserverMainFisheries Observer Agency, Modern day slavery in Namibia, the Namibian Police

Niël Terblanché An investigation by various international bodies launched into the use of slavery or trafficked humans to serve as fishermen in Namibian waters will eventually result in criminal charges against the Namibian registered owners of two fishing vessels. The 60 fishermen were rescued in September 2022 after officers of the Fisheries Observer Agency, the Namibian Police and immigration officers got involved. Although the incident caused huge embarrassment for Namibian authorities because the country is a signatory to various programs to end human trafficking, the government has promised to assist international bodies in their investigation into the allegation of modern…

31 Mar

Freshly recruited NDF soldiers are not fit enough

ObserverMainFreshly 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…

Abuse of state organs enables<br>mafia style corporate governance

30 Mar

Abuse of state organs enables
mafia style corporate governance

ObserverMainAbuse of state organs enables mafia style corporate governance

Niël Terblancé The arrest of Jennifer Comalie, the board chairperson of the Namibian Petroleum Corporation on Monday, and the resulting debacle surrounding the matter, has revealed that state organs or certain parts of such institutions has been captured and that state-owned companies are run by people who can be equated to gangsters. The shocking threat of all out gangsterism in the top tiers of Namcor’s management was laid bare in a letter dated 28 March 2023 and written by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, and addressed to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General…

29 Mar

Credibility of Comalie’s Case Questioned

ObserverMainCredibility of Comalie’s Case Questioned, Iipumbu Shiimi

Steve Nashama The credibility of the arrest and the State’s case against Namcor Chairperson, Jennifer Comalie, has been called into question after it was revealed by the Minister of Finance and State Owned Enterprises , Iipumbu Shiimi that as early as last week she alerted him and the Minister of Mines, Tom Alweendo that she feared for her life. Comalie was arrested on Monday under suspicious circumstances in connection with dealing in drugs. She was subsequently granted bail yesterday afternoon in the amount of N$ 7000 when she made her first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. State Prosecutor Rowan…

28 Mar

The Arrest and the N$6m exit package

ObserverMainDeputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, The Arrest and the N$6m exit package

Niël Terblanché A female member of the Namibian Petroleum Corporation’s Board of Directors has been arrested on charges relating to the possession of illicit drugs shortly after a meeting of the board at the offices of the state-owned energy corporation in Windhoek on Monday. The arrest of the senior board member was confirmed by the commander of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi. According to the incident report, arresting officers reacted to intelligence received from an informant when they swooped in on the female board member. During a search of the lady’s official vehicle, the officers…

27 Mar

ECN facing a budgetary shortfall of N$60 million

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia will need almost N$500 million in the coming financial year to conduct voter education and voter registration for the next cycle of National and Presidential Elections slated for November 2024. This is according to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjivi, who motivated a budget allocation of N$421 930 000 for the successful implementation of ECN programmes for the next year. He pointed out that the budget ceiling will leave the ECN with a shortfall of N$60 million. Despite this shortfall, he stated that the ECN will have to discharge its duties…

24 Mar

Swapo is out of touch -Amupanda

ObserverMain

Stefanus Nashama Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist and 2024 Presidential Hopeful, Job Amupanda said the ruling party SWAPO is now old, tired, fatigued and unable to understand modern realities and aspirations, despite still appreciating its past achievements.Amupanda, who earlier this month was elected to serve on the City of Windhoek’s Management Committee, indicated that the ruling party is a “grandmother” that did good things while she was growing up.“It is a well-known approach of the African people that it is the responsibility of the youth to take over from their grandparents,” he said.The activist said in an interview with this publication…

23 Mar

Controversy surrounding NHE Executives’ Cape Town trip

ObserverMainControversy surrounding NHE Executives’ Cape Town trip, e National Housing Enterprise

Niel Terblanche In an effort to raise funds to finance the execution of its mandate, the National Housing Enterprise is considering a range of options as well as a host of potential financiers. However, the NHE’s dire financial position has left the state-owned company in a vulnerable position. Besides having to attend to a housing backlog of more than 300 000 living units for Namibians, the staff of the beleaguered SOE is repeatedly threatening to strike because of issues with their salaries. At the same time, staff accuse top management of raking in exorbitant fees for attending board meetings and…

22 Mar

Crowd threatens to become unruly over Independence Day food

ObserverMainCrowd threatens to become unruly over Independence Day food

Niël Terblancé Alarge number of people attending the 33rd Independence celebrations at the Outapi Stadium became unruly when rumours about a shortage of food started spreading among the crowd. It was reported that some of the attendees stormed the tents in which food for the Very Important Persons (VIPs) was kept. Some of the people went through slits on the sides of the tent to get to the food. Others gathered at food trucks in which the food was carted to the venue and demanded that it be given to them. In one case the organisers were forced to inform…

20 Mar

Tribalism, racism, regression worries Schlettwein as he calls it quits on SWAPO duties

ObserverMainracism, regression worries Schlettwein as he calls it quits on SWAPO duties, Tribalism

Martin Endjala Swapo Party Central Committee member and Secretary of the Politburo Carl Schlettwein has cited tribalism as worrisome despite the party’s efforts to liberate Namibia to ensure that racism and tribalism become a thing of the past apartheid regime. The Agriculture Water Land and Reform Minister said this during an interview with the Windhoek Observer as he reflects on his career as a Swapo party member after he announced last year during the Central Committee’s last meeting in December that he will be retiring, alongside his with fellow comrades, Minister of Gender Equality Doreen Sioka, National Assembly Speaker Peter…