Page 634 – Windhoek Observer

05 Jun

I have done nothing wrong – Shiyuka

ObserverObserver MoneyAmos Shiyuka, Community Security Solutions Namibia (CSS), Namibian Police Force, NAMPOL

Staff Writer The Windhoek Observer (WO) recently caught up with businessman and Community Security Solutions Namibia (CSS) Managing Director, Amos Shiyuka (AS) regarding fraud charged laid against him by the Namibian Police Force (Nampol), amid allegations of price inflating. Below is an excerpt of the interview. WO: Have you been formally charged or questioned by the police regarding accusations of fraud that have been lodged against you and your company? AS: No, at this point there have been no formal charges laid nor have I been formally questioned. WO: Could you give reasons for the discrepancy between the contract price…

05 Jun

Drama in Parliament as Geingob delivers SONA

ObserverObserver MoneyHarambee Prosperity Plan, Ministers, Parliament, president Hage Geingob, State of the Nation Address (SONA)

Staff Writer It was an eventful day in Parliament when President Hage Geingob delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday. The address unlike his previous addresses during his first administration did not go as smoothly, as opposition parties in Parliament interrupted him. At one stage, the President took his seat while the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi brought the house to order. In his address, the President said he was aware of the challenges currently faced by Namibians due to the negative impact of COVID-19. “Fellow Namibians, I share in your anxieties. I understand…

05 Jun

Geingob rubbishes Chinese loan claims for Swapo HQ

ObserverObserver MoneyKalahari Holdings, president Hage Geingob, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Swapo President, Hage Geingob on Thursday refuted claims that the ruling party used loans to pay for the N$730 million Swapo party headquarters being built in Windhoek by Chinese company, Unik Construction Engineering. Unik Construction Engineering, which has undertaken several projects in the country, including the N$1 billion construction of the road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, was awarded the tender to construct the ruling party’s headquarters last year. Quizzed in Parliament on whether the awarding of the tender to the company was done so that it could receive more tenders in the future, the President denied the…

05 Jun

Namibia declined N$192m reparations offer

ObserverObserver MoneyGerman, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob made a startling revelation on Thursday when answering questions after delivering his state of the nation address that his government turned down a N$192 million dollar settlement offer from the German government as part of reparations. “They offered Euro 10 million and we said that is an insult,” he said. The revelations by the President means the country could be gunning for more in compensation and comes after German minister for economic cooperation and development Gerd Müller in September last year said the reparation negotiations between the two countries could soon be finalised. Geingob also…

04 Jun

Everything is connected

ObserverNational NewsCivil servants, lockdown

People are uncertain these days. The economy is in decline. Solutions to lift it up will be slow, painful and might not work. The pandemic might take turns that no one can predict (though we all hope not). In such distressing circumstances, selfishness easily emerges in people and in businesses. Far too many are ready to step on the bodies of others, just to get to the lifeboats first. To avoid the stampede of self-preservation, we all must understand that everything is connected. The money needed to be paid to others must come from others who don’t have money because…

04 Jun

Nampol speed cameras idle

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibian Police Force (Nampol), NAMPOL

Staff Writer Twelve speed cameras, commonly referred to as the “Yellow Pole Camera”, installed by the Namibian Police Force (Nampol) more than two years ago on the country’s highways at a cost of N$4 million are still to be operationalized. According to insiders although the cameras are functional, Nampol cannot use any of the speed violation information collected as their functionality still needs to be gazetted into law. The failure to operationalize the technology has been attributed to continued delays by the Ministry of Safety and Security, under whom Nampol falls, to promulgate the law. The development, however, comes as…

03 Jun

Indemnity forms won’t save schools – AG

ObserverObserver MoneyAttorney General, Covid-19, Executive Director Sanet Steenkamp, Festus Mbandeka

Andrew Kathindi Indemnity forms that some private schools have been forcing parents to sign before readmitting their children will not save them should a child contract COVID-19 as a result of their negligence, Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka, has informed Windhoek Observer. This comes as certain schools have been forcing parents to sign indemnity forms in order for them not to be held liable should a learner contract COVID-19 while in their care. “Generally, indemnity forms or clauses are not illegal per se, however if someone suffers a loss as a result of failure or negligence caused by a person seeking…

03 Jun

Get Deezer – put together your own playlist

ObserverUncategorisedDeezer

…spend time singing to yourself Jackie Wilson Asheeke Even though things are opening up again, the down time on our own should have taught us ways to have fun at home, in our own gardens, with our family members and for less money than we otherwise would have spent. Check out the music service called: “#Deezer”. Since I found it, I have been singing different songs in the shower and to my pets. My 2 dogs and 2 cats told me they love hearing the updated music (they were getting tired of hearing the same old songs). Deezer has nearly…

03 Jun

Schools want absolution

ObserverNational News

As schools partially re-open this week, some are forcing parents to sign indemnity forms that they assume will relieve these educational institutions of any responsibility for protecting learners from exposure to COVID-19. Are these forms a type of ‘washing of the hands’ ala Pontius Pilot or are they an insensitive bureaucratic step that leaves parents even more uncertain? During a time of crisis, reassurance is needed. People are nervous and uncertain, particularly parents of school aged kids. Institutions of stability like the government, churches and schools must step up to their higher place in society. They must lead from the…

03 Jun

Lockdown results in road accident decline

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF), MVA Fund

Staff Writer The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF) says the government-imposed lock down to curb the spread of COVID-19 had a positive contribution to the drastic decline in road accidents and fatalities on the country’s roads. Fewer cars on the nation’s roads meant fewer accidents. Findings by the MVA Fund show that the number of crashes declined by 71 percent, injuries 72 percent and fatalities 62 percent for the period 27 March to 4 May 2020,compared to the same period last year. The fund which is mandated to design, promote and implement crash and injury prevention measures, notes…