National News – Page 304 – Windhoek Observer

09 May

34 000 applications received for national documents in three months

National News

Stefanus Nashama In just three months, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has received a total of 34,000 applications through the mass civic registration program countrywide. Services on offer during the outreach program include national documents such as birth registration for persons of all ages, applications for duplicate birth certificates, applications for identity documents, and applications for duplication of identity documents. The outreach registration program began on 5 February and will run until 30 July. Margaret Kalo, the ministry's public relations officer, said that applications for the mass civic registration outreach program will be accepted from 5…

09 May

Combating wildlife trafficking must be a collective effort – NamRA

National News

Martin Endjala Combating wildlife trafficking in Africa should not be the responsibility of one country but rather the collective responsibility of all African countries. This was said by NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, during the conclusion of the first operation that focused on wildlife trafficking targeting Africa in coordination with other customs authorities, held on Tuesday in Windhoek. “When you are fighting wildlife trafficking or international organised crimes, it does not make sense for one jurisdiction to be doing better while other jurisdictions are not doing as well as they are supposed to. It will only help us if we all,…

09 May

Walvis Bay Council puts hold on suspensions

National News

Ester Mbathera The municipal council of Walvis Bay requested the chief executive officer to put on hold the suspension of the town’s general manager for finance and the manager of finance following a council resolution on Tuesday. Frans !Gonteb and Johana Shidute were suspended on Wednesday morning to allow for a full investigation into the appointment of RedForce Debt Management CC to assist the municipality collect outstanding debt. In a letter to the acting CEO, John Esterhuizen, the mayor, Trevino Forbes, acknowledged that they had not followed the proper procedure for the suspension of the two office bearers. “The Ministry…

09 May

Katutura ratepayers threaten CoW with court action

National News

Martin Endjala Katutura Ratepayers, through their legal representative, Henry Shimutwikeni and Co. Inc., have threatened to take the City of Windhoek (CoW) to the High Court for alleged violations of the Local Authority Act. In a letter dated 8 May, seen by the Windhoek Observer, the ratepayers have given CoW the right to respond to its demands before or on 24 May. The ratepayers are accusing CoW of allegedly using the practice of estimating water usage as opposed to measuring and reading ratepayers' actual water consumption, whose rates are currently set at N$47.18 per kilolitre for domestic usage as per…

09 May

Namdock backpedals on mass disciplinary hearings

National News

Niël Terblanché In a recent turn of events, Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair (Pty) Ltd. (Namdock) has postponed its planned mass disciplinary hearings following a formidable challenge by the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU), represented by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys. The planned mass disciplinary hearings stem from the first week in April when employees of Namibia’s premier provider of marine engineering solutions downed tools in protest of the company’s decision to change their working conditions without any prior notice. Initially set for May 10 and May 13, 2024, the hearings were intended to address allegations against a total of…

08 May

Border delimitation consultation underway amidst election preparations

National NewsPetrus Unengu

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission, chaired by acting Judge Petrus Unengu, has embarked on a nationwide tour to demonstrate the government’s commitment to accurate and democratic electoral processes. The commission is currently in the process of conducting consultations and technical assessments in the various regions of Namibia, and in this regard, the government has urged all stakeholders, from community leaders to ordinary citizens, to cooperate and contribute to this essential national endeavour. The nationwide tour aims to ensure that the upcoming electoral processes are both fair and reflective of the nation's current state. The commission's national…

08 May

Police station commander of Leonardville arrested for stock theft

National NewsUrsula Binga

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An investigation into an incident of stock theft led to the arrest of Inspector Ursula Binga, the commander of Leonardville police station and wife of Gobabis local authority councillor Sylvester Binga. Inspector Binga was arrested on Monday for allegedly taking sheep that were meant to be in police custody for her personal use. Commissioner Andreas Haingura, the Omaheke Regional Police Commander, confirmed the arrest. Reports suggest that Binga was arrested two weeks after the case was registered, raising concerns about abuse of power within law enforcement. She allegedly used her authority, even enlisting the assistance of senior commanders,…

08 May

City of Windhoek and MTC join forces to fight crime

National NewsCity of Windhoek and MTC

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek and MTC have cemented a strategic partnership aimed at deploying cutting-edge technology to assist the Windhoek City Police in preventing crime. The agreement was signed on Tuesday. MTC pledged its support for the city police by procuring Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and supporting equipment as well as assisting with the installation thereof. MTC managing director, Licky Erastus emphasised the role of technology in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development agendas. “The challenges that face society today require smart partnerships, the embrace of relevant technologies, and innovative approaches to solving them. Crime affects…

08 May

Redforce deal leads to suspensions at Walvis Bay municipality

National NewsFrans !Gonteb

Ester Mbathera The Walvis Bay municipality has suspended the finance general manager, Frans !Gonteb and Johanna Shidute, the manager for revenue and credit control. !Gonteb confirmed his suspension and added: "Yes, it's true, but I didn't get a letter yet. When I came to the office this morning, the acting chief executive told me in a very nice manner to go home because they decided as such yesterday.” He claimed to have received information that his suspicion stemmed from the Redforce Debt Management appointment to assist the municipality in collecting outstanding debt. In the local authority structures, procurement starts with…

07 May

NamPower secures over N$2 billion for transmission projects

National NewsKahenge Haulofu

Martin Endjala NamPower received N$2.6 billion in World Bank funding to expand its transmission network which would enable it to integrate renewable energy into the national grid. This is the first-ever World Bank-financed energy project for Namibia and was approved on 6 May. The Transmission Expansion and Energy Storage (TEES) Project aims to improve the reliability of the country’s transmission network and enable increased integration of renewable energy into the country’s electricity system. NamPower’s managing director, Kahenge Haulofu, announced this on Monday in Windhoek. He said he welcomes the project's approval as a significant milestone in developing the approximately 465-kilometre…