National News – Page 2 – WINDHOEK OBSERVER

30 Mar

New National Children’s Heart Trust launched

ObserverNational NewsNew National Children’s Heart Trust launched

Niel Terblanche Cardiac emergencies are extremely expensive which leaves many Namibians, especially parents with children that need urgent help in a desperate situation. To provide vital assistance, a very special trust has been set up. Due to limited infrastructure and resources within the paediatric cardiac service in Namibia, patients are often referred to South Africa for medical interventions, such as surgeries, through public/private outsourcing agreements. This, however, has profound financial implications, as not all families are able to afford it. The Namibia National Children’s Heart Trust was officially launched in Windhoek last Saturday. The Trust was founded to bridge the…

30 Mar

Travel to Botswana made even easier

ObserverNational NewsExecutive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs Executive Director Etienne Maritz, Safety and Security, Travel to Botswana made even easier

Niël Terblanché Namibians wishing to travel to Botswana will, from 1 April 2023 be able to do so for 24 hours per day. This is according to a notice released by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, who said that the 24-hour Operation of the Trans-Kalahari and Mamuno border crossing points will be officially launched by Minister Albert Kawana and his counterpart from Botswana, Peggy Serame, on Saturday. In this regard, transport companies and travelers alike are requested to temporarily cease the movement of trucks and private vehicles from 08:00 and…

30 Mar

Police needs assistance in identifying murder victim

ObserverNational Newse Erongo Police, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, Police needs assistance in identifying murder victim

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region have requested the public to assist them in identifying a man suspected to have been murdered in the DRC neighbourhood of Swakopmund during the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to the incident report provided by the head of the community affairs division of the Erongo Police, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, members of the community found the victim in Ombili Street in a pool of blood. Upon further inquiry, Inspector Shapumba said that the deceased person was found at about 01:30 and that he was fatally stabbed with a sharp object. “The…

30 Mar

Security companies concerned about guards’ growing demand for increments

ObserverNational NewsSecurity Association of Namibia (SAN), Security companies concerned about guards’ growing demand for increments, t Dhiginina Uutaapama

Martin Endjala The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) has called for calmness after it reported that some of its members have, of late, been under pressure from their employees who are constantly demanding wage increments. “Yes, employees are complaining and will continue to do so, but now we want to focus on the security industry as a whole, for the betterment of salaries to happen, the industry needs to be structured well or regulated, we must first talk about that before going to salaries,’’ SAN President Dhiginina Uutaapama said. According to Uutaapama, the association wants to make sure that regulations…

29 Mar

IPC condemns debacle at Namcor, calls for investigation

ObserverNational NewsIPC condemns debacle at Namcor

Niël Terblanché The Vice President of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Trevino Forbes has expressed deep concern about the debacle that unfolded at the Namibian Petroleum Corporation on Monday. “The developments surrounding Namcor have raised serious questions about the management of Namibia’s natural resources. Namcor is a critical entity in Namibia’s oil and gas sector, and its proper function is essential for the country’s economic development and the well-being of its citizens,” Forbes said in a statement. He said that recent reports about the investigation into Namcor’s Managing Director, Immanuel Mulunga’s involvement in the N$100 million payment for oil…

29 Mar

Analysts warn against reputational damage at Namcor

ObserverNational NewsAnalysts warn against reputational damage at Namcor, Jennifer Comalie, Namibian Petroleum Corporation

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Subsequent to the arrest of the Chairperson of the board of the Namibian Petroleum Corporation, Jennifer Comalie, analysts unanimously agreed that petty infighting and abuse of office at the company will not only damage its reputation but also that of Namibia. Comalie was arrested on charges relating to the possession of illicit drugs shortly after a meeting of the board started at the offices of the energy corporation in Windhoek on Monday. The arrest follows a few days after it was revealed that there is currently a power struggle between the Chairperson of the Namcor Board, Comalie and…

29 Mar

MP’s protest against long queues during elections

ObserverNational NewsMP’s protest against long queues during elections

Martin Endjala Members of Parliament have vented their frustrations about the long queues observed during Namibia’s voting and registration process. MPs stated that it is time-wasting and an indication that Namibia is far behind compared to Zambia, Angola and South Arica when it comes to digitalised voting and registration. Parliamentarians urged the Electoral Commission of Namibia to improve its current status by intensifying the unpleasant scenarios observed in the country. They labelled the current process as unconducive and that it is time that the ECN move away from old practices. “I remember when I visited the Angola elections last year,…

29 Mar

Nangombe places hope on state-of-the-art medical machinery

ObserverNational NewsNangombe places hope on state-of-the-art medical machinery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services spends more than N$50 million annually on dialysis services that are provided by private health facilities. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the health ministry, has placed his hope in state-of-the-art machinery set to cost N$6 million to provide dialysis facilities for Namibians. The ministry currently only offers dialysis services at three public hospitals. The funding will increase the renal dialysis treatment capacity at the Oshakati, Katutura, Rundu, Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo state hospitals. Nangombe said the representatives of the health ministry appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee…

28 Mar

SPYL Secretary hits back at Amupanda

ObserverNational NewsEphraim Nekongo, SPYL Secretary hits back at Amupanda

STEFANUS NASHAMA SWAPO Party Youth League Secretary, Ephraim Nekongo has hit back at Affirmative Repositioning activist Job Amupanda, who last week said that the ruling party is old, fatigued, and unable to understand modern realities and aspirations. Nekongo, in an interview yesterday said Amupanda is “mixing things” just because he wants to be the country’s next president. Nekongo added that Amupanda’s dream is far-fetched, as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is the next president. “First of all Amupanda is a product of SWAPO, lives in a country liberated by SWAPO, and was educated because SWAPO fought for the Independence of Namibia. He should…

28 Mar

AG wants N$ 5 million to attain independence

ObserverNational NewsAG wants N$ 5 million to attain independence

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Office of the Auditor General will need N$ 4 980 000 to acquire and maintain the institution’s financial and operational autonomy. This is according to the Minister in the Presidency, Christina //Hoebes, who during her motivation for the budget allocation said the office’s independence program is one of three initiatives the office will pursue this year. Public Expenditure Oversight, Independence and Legal Framework and Policy Coordination and Support Services are the three main initiatives that the Office will pursue. However, according to //Hoebes, obtaining and maintaining financial and administrative autonomy as well as appropriate human, material, and…