National News – Page 133

22 Aug

Police urge caution on roads ahead of Heroes Day travel rush

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHeroes Day commemoration

Niël Terblanché As many prepares to travel for the upcoming Heroes Day long weekend, the police is appealing to motorists to prioritise safety on the country’s roads. With the Heroes Day commemoration set to take place on August 26th in Omuthiya, Oshikoto Region, alongside other major events like the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, the police anticipate an influx of travellers on the roads from 23 to 25 August. The head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said in a statement issued on Thursday that, in light of the expected increased road activity, the police wishes…

22 Aug

Debt to NamWater tops N$2.1 billion

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché NamWater faces financial challenges, with outstanding debts now surpassing N$2.1 billion. According to a statement issued by the national water supplier, this debt burden is an obstacle to NamWater’s ability to operate on a cost-recovery basis, as the entity primarily functions as a public service provider rather than for profit. As of June 2024, the accumulated debt from various sectors surpassed N$2.1 billion. Private and individual consumers owe N$312 139 216, while industries are responsible for N$40 343 848. Irrigation farmers have accrued N$22 525 668 in debt, and mines have an outstanding balance of N$91 820 587.…

22 Aug

State requests severe sentence for Dippenaar

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Niël Terblanché The state prosecutor in Jandre Dippenaar’s murder trial, Advocate Ethel Ndlovu, urged Magistrate Gaynor Paulton to mete out a custodial sentence for the convicted person while presenting her submissions in aggravation of sentencing on Thursday. Advocate Albert Strydom countered her arguments by arguing that, despite Dippenaar's conviction on six counts of murder, the extraordinary verdict warrants an extraordinary sentence. Advocate Strydom contended that his client became the first person in Namibian history to receive a murder conviction following a fatal motor vehicle collision. He went on to state that his client was convicted by society. “The advent of…

22 Aug

Defence ministry appoints commission to rebury liberation heroes

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsPeople’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN)

Stefanus Nashama and Hilarius Hamutenya The minister of defence and veterans affairs, Frans Kapofi, commissioned a committee for the exhumation and reinterment of the remains of martyrs of the liberation struggle on Thursday. According to the minister, the committee will be headed by former commander, Major General Charles Namoloh, who led the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) on the battlefield. Other members of the committee include Colonel (retired) David Ndatipo, Ericas Ndalikokule, Apollo Bassenero, Elvis Handura, Penofina Eises and Timoteus Mashuna. “Several years ago, the government mandated the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to ensure that the history…

22 Aug

Swapo boasts of decades of achievements ahead of November elections

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHilma Nicanor

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Over its 34-year tenure, the Swapo government has achieved significant progress in various sectors, from education and healthcare to infrastructure, social welfare, and poverty reduction. This was said by Swapo’s secretary for information and mobilisation, Hilma Nicanor on Wednesday while outlining the party’s upcoming activities in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for November. “It is difficult for one to ignore or distort the impressive achievements registered by the Swapo government in a country that suffered untold and despicable injustices perpetrated by successive colonial regimes,” said Nicanor. She also emphasised the party’s Swapo’s ability to…

22 Aug

MHAISS launches customer service charter

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security launched a Ministerial Customer Service Charter on Thursday to improve its service delivery to people. Home affairs minister, Albert Kawana said the charter aims to reaffirm the ministry’s dedication to delivering exceptional services to customers every day. “The purpose of this charter is simple yet profound: To reaffirm our commitment to providing exceptional services to our customers every day,” he stated. He said that by launching the charter, clients can make the most of the ministry's services. “They are the reason for the existence of our ministry. That is…

22 Aug

Shipwiikineni urges lawyers to defend social justice

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAina Kalimba, Electoral Commission of Namibia, Erich Chrismann Shivute, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Shipwiikineni

Martin Endjala Swapo member Reinhold Shipwiikineni has urged lawyers to stand firm in the pursuit of social justice and not abandon clients. Shipwiikineni's call follows the withdrawal of a letter to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) by its Ondangwa-based legal representative, Nicky Ngula Attorneys, without consulting them. Shipwiikineni, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, and Aina Kalimba Angula allege that the Swapo party central committee's nomination of Nandi-Ndaitwah as presidential candidate is invalid because it violates Article 15(9) of the party's constitution. Ngula withdrew the group’s request to the ECN to not allow Vice President Netumbo…

21 Aug

Ally Angula blames Swapo for 34 years of economic disaster and broken dreams

info_e12wt4csNational Newsnational economic disaster

Stefanus Nashama Independent presidential candidate, Ally Angula has accused the Swapo-led government of causing a national economic disaster and financial struggle. Angula made this statement on Monday on her digital election campaign platforms. She believes that, economically, the past 34 years have yet to deliver a satisfactory life for most people. “The current administration led by the Swapo party has for 34 years slowly created an economic national disaster that has left way too many people out in the cold with no chance at earning an income,” she said. According to Angula, many regional capitals lack a manufacturing base to…

21 Aug

Experts urge funding for media fair 2024 election reporting

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChristian Keulder

Martin Endjala Several experts have called for increased funding for media personnel covering the 2024 national elections due to financial constraints. Christian Keulder, an independent researcher, said many media houses are grappling with the harsh reality of a lack of funds when covering news events across the country, with journalists resorting to only covering news in their immediate areas. On Wednesday, FesMedia organised a panel discussion on the role of media in promoting democratic elections in Namibia, during which he shared this information. Keulder is worried about the accuracy and coverage of the 2024 elections due to the circumstances he…

21 Aug

PDM’s Hamata pushes for leadership continuity

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHidipo Hamata, Popular Democratic Movement

Stefanus Nashama A member of the Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) central committee, Hidipo Hamata, is advocating for the party members to give the current top six leaders another term. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, Hamata said the upcoming election requires PDM to maintain the current leadership to navigate and ensure the party’s continuity, leveraging their necessary experience and strategic insight. “As our party approaches the upcoming national congress in the Zambezi region, I strongly urge all delegates to endorse the current top six leaders for another term. The forthcoming election is a pivotal moment for the…