National News – Page 239

21 Apr

Mother of missing Namibian student in SA hopes for his safe return

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Johanna Kapolo, the mother of the missing 20-year-old Namibian student, Faith Enkali, has expressed hope for the safe return of her son. Enkali, who is a student at the Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD), was last seen leaving his student accommodation on Malleson Street in Mowbray in the early hours of Monday, 15 April. Reports indicate that he did not inform his housemates of his plans before his disappearance. "I'm praying for my son Faith's safe return. We hope for him to be found soon," said Kapolo. The Head of CTCFD, Gregg Maragelis, stated that the…

21 Apr

Police advocate for measures to trace rented vehicles

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Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) is advocating for strict measures and methods to trace rental vehicles. This is according to a report released by NamPol’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, last week. “The car hire industry is being targeted, and therefore, the police want to encourage stringent measures and methods when transacting vehicle hire,” she said. Shikwambi said the police statistics revealed that most reported vehicle thefts occurred in retail areas. “Theft of motor vehicles, especially at rental places, is increasing because our statistics at the motor vehicle theft unit reveal that most reported vehicles are stolen from…

21 Apr

Namibia strengthens regional collaboration with labour migration

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Niël Terblanché The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has long recognized the significant role of labour migration in regional development and integration. With the adoption of the Labour Migration Action Plan (2020-2025), the SADC aims to enhance the management of labour migration, emphasizing the protection and welfare of migrant workers and promoting skills transfer to match labour supply and demand within the region. In line with these regional efforts, Namibia has taken a proactive step by establishing the Namibian Employers and Trade Union Labour Migration Network (NETUMN). Officially launched after a key meeting in Walvis Bay in September last year,…

21 Apr

Namibia unaffected by recall of poisonous paediatric cough syrup

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Niël Terblanché Namibia remains unaffected by recent developments in health and safety that have prompted several African countries to recall a paediatric cough syrup due to serious health risks. Last week, Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia confirmed that the batches of Benylin paediatric syrup linked to toxicity concerns are neither distributed nor registered in Namibia, ensuring public safety. The recalled batches numbered 329303 and 329304, were found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic substance linked to acute kidney injury and multiple fatalities. The products were withdrawn from South Africa, Eswatini,…

21 Apr

Namibian correctional services accommodates 359 foreign offenders

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia currently houses 359 foreign nationals in correctional facilities across the country, according to statistics provided by the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS). NCS head of public and media relations, deputy commissioner John Kambimbi, said a total of 352 inmates are males and seven females. “Crimes committed include murder, attempted murder, immigration offences, rape, robbery, stock theft, fraud, illegal possession of firearms, kidnapping, housebreaking, illegal hunting, and possession of drugs,” he said. Zambia has the highest number of inmates at 124, followed by Angola with 192 inmates. The inmates are from the United States of America (2), Angola (192),…

21 Apr

Health ministry struggling to finalise mental health bill

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Stefanus Nashama Minister of Health and Social Service, Kalumbi Shangula, has revealed that the ministry is faced with obstacles in contracting a consultant to assist with finalising the regulations related to enacting the Mental Health Bill. According to the minister, the main issues were delayed responses from legal drafters and a shortage of funds. “We expect to address these shortcomings in the 2024/25 financial year. The Ministry has allocated funds to contract a consultant who will assist the ministry’s team with finalising the Bill and its regulations,” Shangula explained. The minister disclosed the status of the Bill to the National…

21 Apr

Businessman questions validity of grocery tender

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOmutwewomuhnu village, Robie Amadhila

Martin Endjala The Ohangwena Regional Council has put out a notice requesting quotations for the supply of grocery items such as tomato sauce, rice, onions, cooking oil, salt, macaroni and potatoes amongst other types of consumer items. The groceries are to be delivered at Omutwewomuhnu village in Oshikunde constituency. Businessman Robie Amadhila questioned why the regional council staff could not go to any of the shops at Eenhana or Okongo to procure the items. “It will cost a lot just to manage the tender process. You are going to call for a tender and set up a committee to go…

20 Apr

Iconic tourist destination targeted by burglars

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Niël Terblanché Approximately N$175,000 was stolen when the iconic Canyon Roadhouse at one of Namibia’s most impressive tourist attractions, the Fish River Canyon was broken into by a gang of burglars. Gondwana Collection Namibia’s Brand and Marketing Director, Manni Goldbeck, confirmed the burglary and added that the incident occurred during the early morning hours of 18 April 2024 when four or five members of the gang entered the main restaurant area of the Canyon Roadhouse. “After overpowering a member of our security team, the robbers gained entrance to the main restaurant area by breaking through the doors. They targeted the…

19 Apr

Salmon farming in Lüderitz becomes a reality

info_e12wt4csNational NewsProposed salmon farming project moves forward

Niël Ternlanché Namibia's African Aquaculture Company (AAC) has taken a significant step towards diversifying the country’s aquaculture industry after it was granted an "Offshore Commercial Phase" license to pioneer salmon farming in the Atlantic Ocean near Lüderitz. Clement Kaukuetu, President of the Namibia Operations at AAC, announced the new development in the project and added that it is a groundbreaking venture for Sub-Saharan Africa. “The license, effective for 15 years, marks the inception of the region’s first commercial salmon farming and production facility,” he said in a statement. The operations will span three offshore sites in the ||Kharas Region, northwest…

19 Apr

NAMFISA signs testing agreement for its Sandbox programme

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNAMFISA signs testing agreement for its Sandbox programme

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), on 17 April, officially signed testing agreements with two pioneering innovators in Windhoek, ReferredBy and Ergo Analytics (known as Verime), to participate in its regulatory Sandbox programme. “The NAMFISA regulatory Sandbox initiative represents our strategic vision to promote innovation in both digital and non-digital financial services, while simultaneously enhancing financial inclusion. Under the vigilant supervision of NAMFISA, the Sandbox provides a controlled environment for live tests of innovative products, services, or solutions within specified parameters or limits,” NAMFISA's Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Matomola said. He emphasized the critical importance of the…