National News – Page 147

29 Sep

Van Wyk dismisses removal, claims he remains UPM President

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Martin Endjala Jan van Wyk rejected the United People's Movement's (UPM) management committee's decision to recall him as the party president. He lost his position as UPM president on Friday because he did not attend three consecutive management committee meetings. He was removed along with Mita Pickering, the vice president, and Justin Coetzee, the local authority councillor at Rehoboth. On Sunday, Jan van Wyk told the Windhoek Observer that there is no reason for him to take any action against what he described as failed politicians who are not members of the UPM. “They were expelled from the party in…

29 Sep

Unions question PAYE reimbursement plans

info_e12wt4csNational Newsnew taxation regulations

Martin Endjala Various labour unions have criticised the lack of consultation on the tax reimbursement of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) to be paid by employers to employees between 1 March and 30 September. They said that a lack of prior consultation raises questions about transparency and the potential implications of the new taxation regulations for businesses and employees. In a joint statement released last week, we responded to the announcement made earlier this month by the finance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, regarding tax refunds. The gazetting of the Namibian Income Tax Amendment Act (Act 4 2024) was met with trepidation by employer representatives,…

29 Sep

LPM councillor challenges RedForce settlement at Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRedForce Debt Management., Ryan Gordon

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) councillor of the Walvis Bay municipality, Ryan Gordon, has raised concerns regarding the settlement agreement between the municipality and RedForce Debt Management. He questioned the legality of the 12% levy on RedForce collections, arguing that neither the municipality's credit control policy nor gazetted documents reflect it. He requested this in a letter dated 20 September. The letter was seen by the Windhoek Observer. “We have noted Advocate Metcalfe describing the councillors as corrupt because illegal tariffs are imposed on municipality customers by the 12% levy imposed on Redforce collections. Please show me where…

29 Sep

UDF set to launch manifesto in October

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Hilarius Hamutenya The United Democratic Front (UDF) will launch its election manifesto during its congress in Otjiwarongo on 12 October. Last week, the UDF’s spokesperson, Mabasen Narib told the Windhoek Observer that in the manifesto, the party's leadership will unpack how the party intends to change the state of government and make service delivery the order of business. “UDF presents itself as the next best alternative party to the voters. The manifesto will give a detailed strategic plan on how we intend to address the bread and butter issues of our people,” he said. Narib added that the UDF has…

29 Sep

Mbumba’s participation in UNGA solidifies Namibia’s global role

info_e12wt4csNational NewsUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79)

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba returned home on Saturday after his working visit to the United States, where he participated in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York. The session, held from 19 to 26 September, was themed “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for the present and future generations.” Mbumba also co-facilitated the Summit of the Future with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to a statement from the Namibian Presidency. The summit was convened under the theme “Summit of the Future: Multilateral…

29 Sep

Katima Mulilo correctional facility transformed into agricultural hub

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Niël Terblanché On Friday, Namibia took an innovative step towards improving food security and rehabilitating offenders serving sentences in prison with the inauguration of an agricultural project at the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility. The project, located in the Zambezi region, aims to repurpose the idle Katima Farm into a food-producing correctional facility, marking an important milestone for both the country’s correctional system and agricultural sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, while speaking at the event, stressed the transformative potential of the project. "This facility will not only provide a secure environment for individuals serving…

26 Sep

Mbumba calls for global climate action and fair representation at UNGA

info_e12wt4csNational NewsState of Emergency, UNGA’s 79th session

Niël Terblanché In his address at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba delivered an address centred on Namibia's commitment to sustainable development, multilateralism, and justice. Mbumba stressed the importance of global cooperation in tackling the pressing challenges of climate change, conflict, and economic inequities, while also advocating for African representation in international governance bodies such as the UN Security Council. “Namibia is deeply affected by climate change and is experiencing severe environmental consequences that have disrupted fisheries and agriculture, especially under the El Niño phenomenon,” he told the world leaders assembled in New…

26 Sep

Amupanda seeks legal protection in red line case

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRed Line

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Affirmative Repositioning movement’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda has requested protection from legal costs in his ongoing lawsuit against the government for the removal of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, also known as the red line. He was seeking an order from the court that would prevent any adverse cost ruling if he loses the case during the matter’s hearing in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday. "I pray to this Honourable Court for an order in terms of which I am protected against an adverse cost order in the event that I am unsuccessful in this matter. For…

26 Sep

RDP not Swapo’s enemy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMike Kavekotora, Sophia Shaningwa

Ester Mbathera The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president, Mike Kavekotora, has dismissed claims that his party is an enemy of Swapo. Kavekotora was responding to claims made in a controversial letter attributed to Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, which alleges that RDP agents have infiltrated Swapo since 2007 where after some of them have allegedly obtained leadership positions. “I question the authenticity of this letter. I know Shaningwa very well. She was my employee at NHE and she cannot possibly be so ignorant and out of touch with reality,” he said. In the event that the letter was…

26 Sep

IPPR calls on Samherji to drop charges against visual artist

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Ester Mbathera The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has signed a petition calling for the Icelandic fishing giant Samherji to drop its punitive legal action against an Icelandic visual artist. The IPPR’s executive director, Graham Hopwood on Thursday criticised Samherji’s actions of pursuing legal cases against Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, who goes by the artist name ODEE. The case, being heard in the High Court in London on 25 and 26 September 2024, is expected to cost ODEE legal fees of over £500,000 (N$11.5 million). “Samherji should focus their minds on paying damages to Namibia for the harm caused by…