National News – Page 264 – Windhoek Observer

01 May

Namibia aims to strengthen tourist safety campaign

National News

Niël Terblanché The devastating bus accident on the C214 Road between Walvis Bay and the Kuiseb River Canyon last Wednesday that resulted in the deaths of two Portuguese tourists and left several others injured has cast a new light on the need for a comprehensive campaign to ensure the safety of tourists. Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, expressed his deep regret over the incident. "This accident is both regrettable and unfortunate, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of life," he said in a statement. He stated that the Namibian government is committed to ensuring…

01 May

Police warn against forgery of academic documents

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian Police have issued a warning against the forgery of academic documents. The spokesperson for the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, issued the warning after the arrest of a cadet constable on Monday at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre in the Oshana Region. “Forgery and uttering are criminal offences, and therefore applicants to whatever position in the public service should desist from forging documents because it is a criminal offence. Once detected, the law applies accordingly. This is how serious it is. Hence, the charging of the cadet constable,” said Shikwambi. Yule Nashidhiga (28)…

01 May

Proposed National Minimum Wage Bill to be submitted to Cabinet next week

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, said the proposed National Minimum Wage Bill will be submitted to Cabinet next week. He said the bill is intended to come into effect later this year. Nujoma was speaking on Workers' Day at Rundu sports stadium in the Kavango East region on Wednesday. He said other labour and employment bills that will be introduced this year are the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, the Compensation for Work-related Accidents and Diseases Bill, and amendments to the Employment Services Act, the Affirmative Act (Employment) Act, and the Social…

01 May

MUN president digs in heels

National News

Ester Mbathera Ismael Kasuto, the president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), and his deputy Densley Somseb are refusing to vacate their respective positions in the union. On Monday, the two of them, along with two other leaders, Abraham Baisako and Delila Tsibes, issued a statement, in which they claim that they received information that the group that removed them, is trying to take over the union. They claim that the group wants to block them from carrying out a forensic audit of the union’s finances. They stated that the decision to release the financial report was one of…

01 May

Workers don’t understand nor appreciate labour union memberships – Nujoma

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Utoni Nujoma believes that many workers in Namibia today don’t understand or appreciate adequately how trade union membership can benefit them. According to him, those who are not members have negative attitudes toward trade unions. The minister spoke on Wednesday, at the Workers' Day celebrations in Rundu in the Kavango East region. ‘’We must work hard to demonstrate the positive value of trade union membership. I also encourage you to consider multi-media strategies to publicise workers' gains through your affiliate unions and keep trade union activities and views in the…

30 Apr

Redforce tender allocation under investigation

National NewsRedForce Debt Management CC's

Ester Mbathera The Municipality of Walvis has launched an investigation into RedForce Debt Management CC's tender allocation process. This move comes after the council's decision to terminate the debt collector's services due to allegations of impropriety in the procurement process. Richard Metcalfe, the municipality's lawyer, said in a media statement on Tuesday that investigations will examine the procurement process as well as the customs documentation, contracts, and schedules of the agreement. "We will institute the necessary civil and criminal proceedings in the event of any impropriety," he said. The municipal council unanimously decided last week to terminate the services of…

30 Apr

SAN cautions against wage increments

National NewsCorinus Kotzé

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

National 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

National 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

National 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…