Observer Money – Page 280 – Windhoek Observer

04 May

Board members mass exodus on the horizon …as new cabinet directive takes effect

Observer MoneyBoard members mass exodus on the horizon, Gisbertus Mukulu, Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs)

Andrew Kathindi, Tujoromajo Kasuto State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) could see a mass exodus in the following months and years, with a new Cabinet directive baring Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of SOEs serving on the board of other SOEs. The development was confirmed by Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste. The new directive is the reason why Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, will not be considered for reappointment as board Chairperson of the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). Shivute had previously admitted failure during his tenure at the NHE, which is currently faced with a leadership crisis pitting senior management against…

01 May

Kalahari Soldier faces murder trial

Observer MoneyKalahari, Katutura, Namibia Defence Force (NDF)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri A member of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) who fatally shot an unarmed 32-year-old, Benisius Kalola, at Katutura’s Single Quarters during a Kalahari operation almost two years ago, is set to go on trial next week facing charges of murder. Kalola succumbed to injuries at a local hospital after he was allegedly shot in the back with an AK-47, just a few metres from his family home near the Single Quarters after being chased by armed NDF members. Mulele Darrel Nyambe is set to become the first member of the uniformed forces to face criminal charges emanating from…

01 May

Geingob in self-isolation

Observer MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri President Hage Geingob is in self-isolation amid COVID-19 fears. According to Presidential Press Secretary, Alfredo Hengari, the President has been in isolation since his last trip to the Zambezi region about six days ago. During the trip, Geingob met traditional leaders and the Nchindo family, following the fatal shooting of three brothers and a cousin by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) last year. Hengari stated that this was done as a precautionary measure due to the President’s recent travels. “He has been meeting a lot of people, a weekend in Rundu, Katima so it’s a precaution measure,” he…

30 Apr

SPYL’s competence questioned

Observer MoneyMember of Parliament, SPYL, Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL)

Andrew Kathindi and Tujoromajo Kasuto President Hage Geingob’s surprise decision to pick a young Member of Parliament (MP) outside of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) structures, has given indication that he lacks confidence in the ruling party’s youth wing. This was the sentiment of political analysts speaking to the Windhoek Observer. Former Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) Secretary General, Patience Masau, was sworn in as a Member of Parliament, replacing former Defence minister, Peter Vilho. Political Analyst, Ndumba Kamwayah, stated that the President’s decision to appoint youth outside the SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) structures to some extent shows…

30 Apr

Second COVID-19 variant discovered

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Minsiter, Kalumbi Shangula, Variant of Concern (VOC)

Andrew Kathindi Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Minsiter, Kalumbi Shangula, has revealed that Namibia has uncovered another COVID-19 variant. According to the Minister, the discovery is of a United Kingdom (UK) variant of the virus.“The Variant of Concern, B.1.1.7 initially discovered in the UK was detected in three of the samples analysed.”In March this year, the Minister confirmed the presence of the 501.V2, a variant that was discovered in South Africa last year. The Minister in December last year suspected the presence of the variant in the country; however, his fears were only confirmed when delayed samples sent to South…

29 Apr

Namibia approves Sputnik V vaccine imports

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Sputnik V

Rose-Mary Haufiku Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Kalumbi Shangula, has confirmed that Namibia is moving ahead to import the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Although the minister was not clear as to how many doses the country will be importing, he confirmed that the ministry was moving ahead with the procurement which is supposed to aid the existing COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Shangula said he can’t exactly say when the vaccines will be imported into the country since “it’s a procurement process, so it’s still ongoing. We haven’t seen any deliveries.” On how many doses of Sputnik…

29 Apr

CoW hunts for CEO

Observer MoneyChief Executive Officer (CEO), City of Windhoek (CoW), Windhoek Mayor Job Amupanda

Andrew Kathindi The hunt for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the City of Windhoek (CoW) has begun, Windhoek Mayor Job Amupanda has announced. Windhoek has been without a substantive CEO since 1 November, 2020, when former CEO Robert Kahimise resigned. “The ideal candidate should be both suitably qualified and experienced. That said and equally important: the incumbent CEO should possess and embrace innovative and progressive ethos required to execute and operationalise Council’s strategic intent,” said Amupanda. According to the Mayor, the process of filling the position of CEO of Windhoek is slated for conclusion by the end of September.…

29 Apr

Court did not sanction Billionaire’s relocation . . .as court orders his appearance next week

Observer MoneyBritish billionaire Harvey Boulter, Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab, Magistrates’ Court

Rose-Mary Haufiku As “special treatment” claims continue to swell around murder accused British billionaire, Harvey Boulter (51), it has emerged that the court did not sanction his movement from Outjo to a high-end retirement village in Auas Blick, where has been holed up since February. Boulter’s relocation to the Windhoek based Auas Hills Private Hospital, which is located in a retirement village, was only made known to the presiding magistrate after Boulter failed to show up in person for his initial bail hearing at the Outjo Magistrates’ Court on 23 April. “The court was not aware that the accused Boulter…

28 Apr

Namibia lags behind in herd immunity target

Observer MoneyChina, Covid-19, Government

Rose-Mary Haufiku It’s going to take Government nine years to reach 1,700 000 people it has targeted to vaccinate across the whole country. This is because the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has to date vaccinated 14,069 people against COVID-19 since the rollout began on 19 March. Health minister, Kalumbi Shangula, previously stated that Namibia would need to vaccinate 70 percent of its estimated 2.5 million population to reach herd immunity. Herd immunity (population immunity) is the indirect defense against an infectious disease that occurs when a population has gained immunity to the disease, either by vaccination or…

28 Apr

Nchindo family looks to sue Botswana government

Observer MoneyBotswana, Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Namibia, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi The Nchindo family is looking to sue the Botswana government for damages after Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers shot and killed three brothers and a cousin, last year at the Chobe River between Namibian and Botswana. The revelation comes after President Hage Geingob recently paid a courtesy visit on the family. “That is one of the items we highlighted when we had a meeting with the President. We asked that our government should be able to assist us with negotiating for compensation from the Botswana government. But definitely, suing for compensation is a priority as we seek recourse,”…