Observer Money – Page 195

18 Nov

Ministry of Health spends N$3m on COVID-19 drug …as WHO cast doubt over its effectiveness

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services has spent N$3 million on procuring Remdesivir, the experimental drug used as a last ditch treatment for COVID-19 patients in extreme conditions. Although the ministry has announced that it will be halting further purchases stating that they have enough stock, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula however, said the government would still purchase the drug should the need arise. “COVID-19 has not gone away, patients still need the medication,” he told Windhoek Observer. The minister’s position comes as a World Health Organization (WHO) study recently cast doubt on the effectiveness of the drug.…

18 Nov

Parliament still to discuss abortion …as matter is postponed to next year

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAbortion, Covid-19, eputy Minister of Health, Esther Muinjangue, NUDO

Helena Johannes Parliament has blamed COVID-19 for its failure to debate the issue of legalizing abortion in Namibia despite the matter having been tabled for discussion during the pandemic. National Assembly spokesperson David Nahogandja said Parliament has received two petitions of which one is for and the other against abortion in June this year. “We only sat for two terms this year due to COVID-19, we have not sat as usual to discuss more about this,” he said. Nahogandja said the parliamentarian committee seized with the matter will sit early next year when parliament opens to look at both petition…

14 Nov

Thousands demonstrate against BDF killings

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBotswana Defense Force (BDF)

Helena Johannes Thousands of Namibians took to the streets to demand justice for four Namibian fishermen killed by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) on Thursday 05 November 2020. One group marched to the Botswana High Commission in Windhoek, were it presented a petition, which was received by the High Commissioner, Batlang Comma Serema, who was given seven days to respond. Among some of the demands was the speedy completion of investigations, to be jointly conducted by the Namibian Police Force and the Botswana Police. The Botswana government has been asked to abolish its shoot to kill policy which has been…

14 Nov

Vice Chancellor appointed amidst scandal at NUST

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDr Erold Naomab, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL)

Clifton Movirongo A new scandal has rocked the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) after the institutions council is accused of overlooking Professor Frednard Gideon for the post of Vice-Chancellor (VC) opting for Dr Erold Naomab, despite him having scored higher during the interview process. This comes as the Nust Council Chairperson, Florette Nakusera on Friday afternoon announced Naomab as the new Nust VC for the next five years, effective January 2021, replacing Dr Tjama Tjivikua. According to information made available to the Windhoek Observer, the Nust Council appointed Naomab for the top post despite him scoring 64.5 percent…

14 Nov

Government flirts with legalising cannabis…as PM’s office chairs taskforce

info_e12wt4csObserver Moneycannabis, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services has begun consultations on the regulation and controlled use of cannabis, in anticipation of its possible legalization. This comes as according to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 33 countries in the world have permitted the cultivation of cannabis for medical and research purposes. Some of these countries are in SADC region. In addition, some countries have decriminalized its use. Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe said the Ministry had engaged several governmental agencies a few months ago on the matter. He hinted that it could be time for Namibia to…

13 Nov

Jooste backs Fishcor board . . .as Nghipunya clings onto CEO post

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFishcor, Leon Jooste, Public Enterprises minister

Staff Writer Public Enterprises minister, Leon Jooste has come out in support of the beleaguered Fishcor board, amid mounting tension between it and the company’s management. The minister’s support comes as the fishing company’s managers in a scathing letter leaked to the media in which the minister was copied in, accused the interim board of malfeasance. They claimed that board members Social Security Commission Executive officer Milka Mungunda, lawyer Ruth Herunga, Mihe Goamab II and Penny Hiwilepo-Hal directly interfere in the day-to-day operations of the company. “This Board was appointed to an institution with a multitude of complex, intricate legacy…

13 Nov

Investigations into BDF killings yet to commence

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBotswana, Botswana Defence Forces (BDF), Namibia

Clifton Movirongo It has emerged that the investigation into the fatal shooting of four unarmed Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Forces (BDF) will only begin next week on 17 November 2020, 11 days after the incident occurred. NamPol Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the joint investigations regarding the killings will only start week. On November 5 along the Chobe River which flows between Namibia and Botswana, the BDF shot and killed four unarmed fishermen who they alleged were poachers. The soldiers opened fire at close range, killing three brothers and their cousin. Ndeitunga said…

12 Nov

Expelled PDM member in surprise U-turn

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHafeni Mafita, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)-expelled John Pandeni constituency candidate Hafeni Mafita has revealed that he is willing to sit with PDM bosses and return to the party’s fold, a week after he was booted from the party. This comes after ECN has declined the opposition party’s request to have him withdrawn and replaced on the ballot. “I am willing to go back to PDM as I am planning to issue a public and party apology. I just want to apologize and make peace with everyone,” said Mafita. Mafita said he is still campaigning for votes during the upcoming…

12 Nov

Hydrology unit issues flood warning

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHardap Dam, Hydrological, Meteorological, Namwater, OPM - Disaster Risk Management

Clifton Movirongo The Hydrology Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has warned that Namibia will be receiving above normal rainfall from November this year to April of 2021 and that this will have an effect particularly in the flood prone areas. Namibia’s flood prone areas include the Cuvelai Delta, Lower Kuiseb catchment, Hardap - Mariental, the Lower Orange River and the three northern rivers namely the Kunene, Okavango and Zambezi Rivers. Head of the Hydrology Unit at the MAWLR Paulina Mufeti revealed this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, as she stressed that the…

11 Nov

Air Namibia suspends Joburg, Cape Town route

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia

Staff Writer Air Namibia has announced that it will be temporarily suspending flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg for a period of four weeks as aircraft that service the route will be undergoing scheduled heavy maintenance checks. “Air Namibia’s two (2) Embraer Jet (ERJ) aircraft will undergo scheduled heavy maintenance checks from 16 November 2020. These checks are expected to be completed within 4 weeks. Air Namibia’s ERJ fleet is used for servicing all domestic routes, as well as Cape Town and Johannesburg routes. Given the afore-stated maintenance activities, the airline will be operating 2 of the 4 aircraft only…