National News – Page 118

15 Sep

Lukato guarantees economic transparency

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) has laid out its vision for the upcoming November election, focussing on economic reform, transparency, and social justice. The party launched its election manifesto in Windhoek on Sunday. NDP president Martin Lukato introduced the manifesto, calling it “a reflection of our values, our aspirations, and our dedication to serving the needs of our people.” He said that the NDP is committed to addressing unemployment, land reform, and sustainable development. “We will ensure that our government operates with openness, integrity, and responsiveness. Accountability will be at the core of everything we do,” he said.…

15 Sep

Military Police accused of brutally beating a boy in Rundu

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsMulao Sonicah Matongo

Martin Endjala About eight undercover police officers in Rundu have been accused of brutally beating a 19-year-old boy in Rundu last month in connection with the theft of some phones. A case has been opened at the police station by the victim. The Kavango East regional Deputy Commissioner Mulao Sonicah Matongo, confirmed the incident to the Windhoek Observer last week. “Yes we are aware of the allegations and the complaint also opened a case and the police are currently busy investigating,” she said. Matongo also clarified that the complainant was not beaten by officers of the Namibian Police but by…

15 Sep

Increase of maternity benefits on the cards

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMilka Mungunda, Social Security Commission

Martin Endjala The Social Security Commission is considering increasing maternity benefits for women by March 2025. The commission's chief executive officer, Milka Mungunda announced this during the commemoration of International Social Security Day on 13 September. “Effective 1 March 2025 we will have to reconsider increasing our contributions for our maternity benefits. We have committed as an institution to make sure that we would increase the ceiling so that women, who go on maternity leave, are going to have adequate benefits,” she said. The commission has so far paid out maternity leave benefits of about N$212 million for the 2023/24…

15 Sep

The bodies of two young men recovered from the ocean

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The bodies of two young men were recovered from the sea at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, under circumstances that have raised suspicions of suicide over the past weekend. The first body was discovered early on Friday morning, floating in the shallow waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon. The deceased was identified as the 24-year-old Bradley Nande Abjatar. According to Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, head of community affairs for the police in the Erongo region, Abjatar's family reported that he had left their home in Windhoek on 7 September without informing them of his destination. He also left a…

15 Sep

PAYE reimbursements loom as new tax rates take effect

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIpumbu Shiimi, NamRA, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE)

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s minister of finance and public enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, has announced that employers are required to adjust the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax deductions from employees to ensure the reimbursement of any over-deducted amounts. In a statement issued over the weekend, Shiimi stressed that any over-deduction of PAYE resulting from the implementation of the adjusted statutory tax rates must be refunded by employers shortly after the gazettement of the new rates. The minister, however, did not indicate exactly when the new rates will be gazetted. “The reimbursement would be deducted from the employee's monthly tax contribution payable to the Namibia…

15 Sep

Political agendas blamed for fights over drought food aid

info_e12wt4csNational Newsdrought relief food, Hilaria Ndjuluwa

Stefanus Nashama The Constituency Councillor of Ondobein the Ohangwena Region, Hilaria Ndjuluwa responded to a video circulating on social media platforms of three women seen fighting each other over a bag of drought food aid maize meal. Ndjuluwa argued that vulnerable people are made to fight over basic necessities such as drought relief food to drive political agendas. Ndjuluwa said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday. "There is no need to grab food. And there is no hunger that can kill people in our constituency. Those that grab food do it for their own purposes which…

15 Sep

Private schools accused of only enrolling smart students

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHidipo Hamata, PDM, Vincent Mareka

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Party Member of Parliament, Vincent Mareka said the passing rate of learners at private schools is questionable. He said this is because private schools only accept smart and well-prepared learners who are going to pass in order to satisfy their rich parents who have to pay high school fees. Mareka made these remarks in parliament last week while contributing to the motion on the state of education in the country, which was tabled by Hidipo Hamata of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). Mareka stated that private schools are single businesses or commercial entities established to make a…

15 Sep

SADC warn against AI interference in elections

info_e12wt4csNational NewsArtificial Intelligence (AI)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Southern Africa Development Community’s (SADC) Secretary General, Boemo Sekgoma stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a friend but that it can also become a hostile enemy to democratic processes if left unchecked. Sekgoma said this in a statement issued on Sunday, the international day of democracy commemorated on 15 September every year. This year’s theme focuses on AI as a tool for good governance, considering the advantages of using AI to save time and promote productivity and efficiency. She said even though AI saves time and promotes productivity, it should also be recognised at the same…

15 Sep

TransNamib temporarily pauses dual-fuel locomotive project

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsNamibia's Green Hydrogen Programme

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national transporter, TransNamib has decided to pause its ambitious dual fuel locomotive project as part of a strategic shift aimed at focusing on its core objectives, including the procurement of new rolling stock worth N$2.6 billion and plans to more than double its annual freight volume over the next five years. The decision was made to allow the national rail operator to channel its resources towards immediate priorities critical for the country’s rail infrastructure and economic development. The decision to reassess the dual fuel project was confirmed by James Mnyupe, the commissioner of Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme…

15 Sep

MVA requests community involvement in outreach programme

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMotor Vehicle Accident, MVA Fund on Wheels, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund is calling on the Zambezi region's residents to participate in its weeklong outreach programme aimed at promoting road safety. The outreach initiative will take place from 16 to 21 September in various towns and villages across the region, including Bukalo, Ngoma, Masokotwane, Sangwali, Mubiza, and Kongola. MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said the initiative, known as "MVA Fund on Wheels," seeks to engage underserved communities. "The MVA Fund on Wheels programme allows us to take our services directly to the people. Our team will assist communities with claims, enable residents…