National News – Page 311

20 Dec

Judge dismisses N$7.5million lawsuit against NWR by former MD

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJudge dismisses N$7.5million lawsuit against NWR by former MD

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a recent ruling, the Windhoek High Court rejected the N$7.5 million civil suit filed by Zelna Hengari, the former Managing Director of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). Hengari was seeking damages for reputational harm. Following a series of hearings between September 2021 and August 2023, High Court Judge Boas Usiku ruled in favour of NWR. Usiku concluded that the central claim made in the press release, regarding Hengari’s unauthorised agreement, was substantially true. Hengari, who served as the Managing Director of NWR from July 2014 until July 2019, initiated legal proceedings against the public company, alleging defamation. The…

20 Dec

Human-wildlife conflict imposes high costs on GRN

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHuman-wildlife conflict imposes high costs on GRN

Niël Terblanché Human-wildlife conflicts have become an increasingly costly challenge for the Namibian Government, with compensation payouts totalling approximately N$31.7 million since 2019. Teofilus Nghitila, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, shed light on the escalation of the issue, citing factors such as drought and the expanding human population as exacerbating the situation. Nghitila said that the complex nature of coexisting with wild animals, which, while beneficial for employment and income generation, also carries significant costs. These costs manifest in various ways, including crop damage, livestock losses, injuries to people, and even the tragic loss…

20 Dec

NEFF threatens to shut down Rani Group

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Stefanus Nashama Michael Amushelelo, the Commissar of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has called on workers to mobilise and unite in mass protest action and even threatened to shut down business activities of the Rani Group countrywide. This follows after the Oshakati-based Rani Group suspended more than 100 employees, who last week participated in a peaceful protest. The protest action was aimed at ending the contract labour hire system still utilised by the business. Amushelelo demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended workers and set a deadline for the return of the workers for mid-day yesterday or else the…

20 Dec

Remains of one Henties Bay drowning victim found

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRemains of one Henties Bay drowning victim found

Niël Terblanché The relentless search for two young girls who tragically drowned in the Atlantic Ocean last Friday has resulted in the discovery on Tuesday morning of one of the bodies about six kilometres north of Henties Bay. According to Inspector Iileni Shapumba, the Head of the Community Affairs Division of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region, members of the public found the remains of the 11-year-old Marie France Brockerhoff Ngo Mbock while walking along the beach. Since the tragedy occurred, the community of the holiday town has united to bring closure to the grieving families by continuing to…

20 Dec

Erongo Regional Council reflects on 2023

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Niël Terblanché As the year 2023 draws to a close, the Erongo Regional Council held its final meeting to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges faced throughout the year. Chairperson Benitha Imbamba addressed various critical issues in her statement, emphasizing the importance of safety, environmental responsibility, and community welfare. One of the foremost concerns highlighted by Imbamba was road safety during the festive season. With an increased number of residents and visitors travelling throughout the region, she urged everyone to prioritize safety on the roads. "Do not speed and make sure when we travel that our vehicles are in good…

20 Dec

Erongo women retain mayoral positions

info_e12wt4csNational NewsErongo women retain mayoral positions

Niël Terblanché During recent elections of office bearers, two women, Dina Namubes and Irene Simeon-Kurtz, have retained their mayoral positions in Swakopmund and Usakos, respectively. Their re-election affirms their strong leadership and commitment to their respective communities. Namubes, who has already served one term as the Mayor of Swakopmund, has been reelected to continue her role. She took over from Louisa Kativa in 2022 and has since earned the trust and support of the community. In her acceptance speech, Namubes highlighted the unique and harmonious nature of the Swakopmund Town Council. She said that despite occasional disagreements, council members always…

19 Dec

Pangolins under serious threat, Environment Ministry observes

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEnvironment Ministry observes, Pangolins under serious threat

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has raised alarm over the serious threat facing pangolins in Namibia. According to Romeo Muyunda, the Ministry’s spokesperson, there has been a notable increase in pangolin trafficking cases from September to November this year, leading to a significant concern for the survival of this species. Muyunda disclosed that during this period, authorities have confiscated a total of 18 pangolin skins, 12 live pangolins, and 146 pangolin scales. This has resulted in 23 registered cases and the apprehension of 38 suspects. Remarkably, these figures surpass the combined number of cases related to…

19 Dec

SPYL pleads for an extension of SIM card registration period

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Stefanus Nashama Despite the official announcement of no extension for the SIM card registration period, the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has made a heartfelt plea to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, urging them to reconsider its decision.SPYL is requesting that the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) halt the deactivation of unregistered SIM cards by the end of December 2023.CRAN initially set the registration period from 1 January to 31 December 2023.The SPYL’s Secretary, Ephraim Nekongo pointed out that service providers like the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) have indicated that only 25 percent of their clientele has…

19 Dec

Loan boosts Namibian agriculture with N$400 million

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLoan boosts Namibian agriculture with N$400 million

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s agricultural sector received a significant boost as the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) and KfW Development Bank inked a historic agreement, securing a concessional loan of just over N$400 million. The collaboration, which aims to empower Namibian farmers and related food-producing businesses, promises to revolutionize access to financing for the communal and commercial farming sectors and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in agriculture and food processing. Agribank, as the recipient of the funds, plans to utilize the resources to provide expanded financing facilities to small-scale farmers and MSMEs engaged in primary agriculture and agro-processing. By…

19 Dec

ECB approves cost of unserved energy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsECB approves cost of unserved energy

Martin Endjala Namibia’s Electricity Control Board last week announced that it has approved the Cost of Unserved Energy (COUE) study which is considered key economic and financial parameters of customer interruptions. The cost of unserved energy refers to the economic impact or cost of discomfort on households when there is a lack of available energy to meet their needs. The ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise said that the study provides an economic value to the cost of unplanned electricity interruptions, as well as the inability to meet electricity demand at a given time to electricity customers and the economy…