National News – Page 381 – Windhoek Observer

19 May

Tourism sector drives sluggish economy

ObserverNational NewsChief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold, thanks to reduced risks from border closures. According to the Hospitality Association of Namibia, Theo Klein in last month’s Hospitality report notes that the upcoming winter season is expected to experience another above average increase in Covid-19 infections, Tourism sector drives sluggish economy

Tujoromajo Kasuto The tourism sector is the light in a dark tunnel for Namibian economy, with new data indicating that the recovery from the lockdown-induced depression is strengthening and may not necessarily lose momentum over the upcoming winter season, thanks to reduced risks from border closures. According to the Hospitality Association of Namibia, Chief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold, the industry is convinced that the current tourist recovery trend will continue, since there is considerable interest in and demand for Namibia from the worldwide travel trade. Simonis Storm Research Firm Economist, Theo Klein in last month’s Hospitality report notes that the…

19 May

Swapo Politburo split over constitutional amendments

ObserverNational NewsHage Geingob, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Swapo Party President, Swapo Politburo split over constitutional amendments

The Swapo Party President and Vice President were pitted against each other in the Politburo meeting over whether the controversial ‘Helmut Amendments’ should be endorsed or be relooked.Hage Geingob and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa were in opposing territory as they Politburo differed over the amendments. Ndaitwah, who seem to be favoured by the amendments, argued that the amendments should not be up for any discussions and should just be endorsed. Geingob on the other hand pushed for them to be subjected to a review. The Swapo Party Central Committee meeting this weekend will now have the enviable task to decisively deal with…

18 May

British murder suspect in Nam survives UK fraud allegations

ObserverNational NewsBritish murder suspect in Nam survives UK fraud allegations, Enigma Diagnostics, Harvey Boulter, Justice David Doyle, N$1.3 billion of investors’ money.

British billionaire, who is currently awaiting murder trial in Namibia, Harvey Boulter, has been exonerated Court of fraud allegations in Cayman Islands Grant Court. Boulter was being sued by liquidators of medical technology company, Enigma Diagnostics for the disappearance of N$1.3 billion of investors’ money. In Namibia the billionaire is charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed his farm manager at his farm new Grootfontein. The liquidators of Enigma Diagnostics of which Boulter was a shareholder and company secretary alleged that he used the company’s money for his own benefit, including a payment to a British super car…

Call for fake goods probe at China shops<br>…Allegations of tax evasion, money laundering also demanded

18 May

Call for fake goods probe at China shops
…Allegations of tax evasion, money laundering also demanded

ObserverNational NewsCall for fake goods probe at China shops, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), NEFF’s Kalimbo Ipumbu, Stina Wu

Obrein Simasiku/Hertta-Maria Amutenja Tension and emotions flared high as hundreds of people occupied some streets in the capital protesting against alleged sexual exploitation of Namibian workers by the Chinese bosses, money laundering and tax evasion, kidnapping and unfair labour practices as well.These demands were listed in various petitions handed over to a Chinese business tycoon, NamRA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security and the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development.The demonstrations, attracted participants from all over the country who joined the masses in solidarity with those who were arrested during Friday’s demonstration at China Town and those…

17 May

CEO divides Swapo council in Grootfontein

ObserverNational NewsCEO divides Swapo council in Grootfontein, Grootfontein, Kisco Sinvula, Talitha Garises

Obrein Simasiku Dust refuses to settle in Grootfontein, as another faction in support of the town mayor, Talitha Garises, has come to her defence.The group says the mayor should be left alone to focus on her works to address problems at the beleaguered council.“Hands off the Mayor, as she is trying her level best to clean Grootfontein once and for all. She needs to be accorded all the blessings, our inputs and support as well as good working relationship from her fellow Councilors and rest of the Municipality staff to carry out her mandate in the best interest of our…

17 May

China Town saga bail application postponed

ObserverNational NewsDimbulukeni Nauyoma, Katutura Magistrate’s Court, Michael Amushelelo, Nakanyala

Obrein Simasiku The fight for bail in the China Town protest rages on in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court with defence lawyers set to make final submissions tomorrow afternoon.The matter was postponed today following cross examinations of both accused and the state witness, who happens to be the police investigator, warrant officer Nakanyala, who is objecting to the granting of bail,The matter involves Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter (NEFF) commissar for economic development Michael Amushelelo, who was arrested on Friday morning after handing himself over to the Police, while his co-accused Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR) activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma was apprehended hours later…

Relentless NEFF mobilises another mass protest<br>…..Police warns against lawlessness

17 May

Relentless NEFF mobilises another mass protest
…..Police warns against lawlessness

ObserverNational NewsDimbulukeni Nauyoma, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga, Relentless NEFF mobilises another mass protest

Obrein Simasiku The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is organising yet another mass protest on Wednesday in solidarity and to demand the release of its arrested commissar for economic development Michael Amushelelo as well his co-accused Affirmative Repositioning activist, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, who are fighting for bail in the Katutura Magistrate’s court.The police Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga has however reminded the public against lawlessness when undertaking such demonstrations, saying “some people do these things deliberately to provoke the situation, which is not supposed to be the case as we ought to be law abiding citizens.”Ndeitunga said the police were notified of…

17 May

Nedbank Women in Media Conference a success

ObserverNational NewsGwen Lister, Menesia Muinjo, Nedbank Women in Media Conference a success, Paulina Elago

Staff WriterThe second edition of the Nedbank in Women in Media Conference took place on Saturday, 14 May, under the theme ‘Alike in so many ways’. The conference was organised to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, as well as to try to foster astrong network among Namibian women working in the media industry.This year’s event was different from last year’s, as it also incorporated women who work in corporate communications and public relations. The event was addressed by various women in media including author, World Press Freedom campaigner, founder of The Namibian newspaper, Gwen Lister, Chief News and Programming Officer…

17 May

ObserverNational NewsEconomic Partnership Agreement (EPA), EU funds NSI twinning project with 27m, Lucia Ipumbu, Namibia Standards Institution

EU funds NSI twinning project with 27m Staff Reporter The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), Lucia Ipumbu launched the European Union (EU) funded twinning project titled ‘Providing support to the Namibia Standards Institution’ in Windhoek.The two-year twinning project aims to boost the NSI’s capacity to carry out its mandate and increase Namibia’s involvement in international trade. This is the first EU Twinning Project of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.The Twinning Project is part of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Plan for Namibia and is supported to the tune of N$27 million.In her keynote address, Lucia Iipumbu applauded all…

15 May

Public warned to make sensible judgements to avoid infections

ObserverNational News17 March 2020 Index Case, curfews and lockdowns, Okahandja and Otjiwarongo, Primary and Secondary schools, Public warned to make sensible judgements to avoid infections, Rehoboth

Martin Endjala President Hage Geingob has advised people during the 43rd Covid-19 public briefing today at State House, to make sensible judgements during the winter period when corona cases spike. “I do however wish to draw your attention to what I can describe to be a relaxed and worrisome attitude to the wearing of face masks in public areas and large indoor settings”, Geingob emphasized, adding that the public is expected to apply sound personal judgment and is therefore required to wear face masks in all public areas. He again pointed out that the first line of defence in the…