National News – Page 208

30 Apr

SAN cautions against wage increments

Martin Endjala The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) vice president, Corinus Kotzé, has cautioned against increasing the salaries of its employees without considering the market the sector operates within. His caution comes after some security guards belonging to the association and non-members demanded an increment, stating that market prices dictate the increment percentages. Kotzé said this during a minimum wage consultation for the security sector on Tuesday in Windhoek. “We could find ourselves in a situation where we have to let go of employees. Which we want to avoid at all costs, but we need to find a solution to…

30 Apr

NEFF condemns exclusion of small traders at Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

info_e12wt4csNational News(NEFF), Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has denounced the exclusion of Namibian traders from participating in the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, slated for 29 April to 5 May at the Lüderitz Waterfront. In a statement issued on Tuesday, NEFF condemned the actions of festival organisers, particularly Victoria de Klerk, labelling them as deplorable and a violation of the rights of local entrepreneurs. According to the NEFF, four traders, Ronald Engelbrecht, Hendrina Willem, Magdalena Mckay, Maria Gumbo, and Sodom Andreas - have been unfairly denied space at the festival. NEFF deputy commander in chief, Kalimbo Iipumbu said these traders, who…

30 Apr

Research and development to propel sustainable economic development

info_e12wt4csNational NewsItah Kandjii-Murangi

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation launched the much-anticipated Research and Experimental Development Survey Report for the fiscal year 2021/22 in Windhoek earlier this week. Dr Lisho Mundia, the ministry’s acting deputy executive director and director of research, innovation and training, on behalf of Minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the report has created a roadmap for the development of a knowledge-based economy. Mundia said the information in the report will be used to leverage science, technology, and innovation for sustainable and inclusive growth. She pointed to the progress made with research and development since the first National…

30 Apr

Arrest in Windhoek ends hunt for Maasdorp murder suspect

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWentzel Maasdorp

Niël Terblanché The countrywide manhunt for Wentzel Maasdorp ended in the central business district of Windhoek on Tuesday afternoon when members of the Namibian Police arrested him. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the police’s public relations division, the suspect was apprehended in the area of the capital colloquially known as Triple J while he was trying to get a lift to Rehoboth. Earlier on Tuesday the Namibian Police in the Kavango East Region reported that the light metallic blue 3 Series BMW was found parked near a filling station in Rundu. Maasdorp was last seen on…

30 Apr

Namibia to champion press freedom at global conference in Chile

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEmma Theofelus

Niël Terblanché Namibia's recognition as the African leader in press freedom has placed it at the forefront of the global dialogue on media independence and environmental journalism. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, is set to lead a delegation to the 31st World Press Freedom Day global conference in Santiago, Chile from 2 -4 May. This was confirmed by MICT acting executive director Frans Nghitila on Tuesday in a media statement. “With a theme focused on the critical role of journalism in addressing the environmental crisis, the conference will explore how freedom of expression can contribute to…

30 Apr

NEKA refutes division and alleged unlawful congress

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA)

Martin Endjala The Namibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA), has refuted allegations that it held a non-constitutional congress and that there was tension between some of the delegates. The association’s secretary general, Elizabeth Shimwafeni, in a media statement issued on Monday, refuted this after the association’s congress last month. Shimwafeni also dismissed allegations of division within the association. “If anything, NEKA protected the democratic principles on which this country was established. As heirs to the Namibian revolution, this was a test on how ready we are to protect and guide the same democracy for which so many perished and crossed rivers…

30 Apr

GRN accused of not doing enough to combat GBV

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBrian Black

Hertta-Maria Amutenja and Niël Terblanché Windhoek East constituency councillor, Brian Black says the government is not doing enough to curb gender-based violence (GBV). Black made the comments following the murder of 40-year-old Delia Angelique Maasdorp, the former wife of Advocate Ramon Maasdorp. Namibia has in recent weeks experienced an increasing number of cases of women being killed by their partners. According to the police report, the body of the victim was discovered in her flat in the Eucalyptus complex in Eros on Sunday afternoon after a friend assisted by the police and a representative of the body corporate gained entry…

29 Apr

Relatives raise concerns over the safety of Fishrot accused in prison

info_e12wt4csNational NewsTamson Hatuikulipi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Relatives of some of the Fishrot accused have voiced their concerns regarding the safety of their relatives currently held at the central correctional facility in Windhoek. On Monday a group demonstrated in front of the Windhoek Correctional Facility to express concerns over the planned relocation of some of the accused persons from holding cells in the C Section of the prison to the Echo Section. Naphtali Hatuikulipi, a cousin of both James and Tamson Hatuikulipi questioned the motives behind the decision to move the high-profile prisoners and pleaded that their safety be ensured. “Why would you want to…

29 Apr

GRN ensures safety of drought-relief food amidst delays

info_e12wt4csNational Newsr John Mutorwa

Niël Terblanché In response to growing concerns regarding the distribution of drought relief food in Namibia, efforts are intensifying to confirm the safety of un-sifted maize meal provided to affected communities. This development comes after Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa expressed concerns about delays in delivering essential food supplies to drought-stricken areas, particularly in Kavango East, where more than 44,000 individuals grapple with the harsh realities of an ongoing drought. During his visit to Kavango East last week, Mutorwa also expressed concerns about the pace of aid distribution. “The region only received its initial consignment of drought relief food in…

29 Apr

Murdered woman found wrapped in a blanket

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDelia Angelique Maasdorp, Ramon Maasdorp

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in Windhoek have started an in-depth investigation into the murder of 40-year-old Delia Angelique Maasdorp, the former wife of Advocate Ramon Maasdorp. According to the police report the body of the victim was discovered in her flat in the Eucalyptus complex in Eros on Sunday afternoon after a friend assisted by the police and a representative of the body corporate gained entry to the flat by opening one of the windows. Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, a member of the Namibian Police’s public relations division, said in the report that the body was found in the…