Page 699 – News Stand

22 May

Legal and policy reforms on oil needed, IPPR says

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Martin Endjala With the discovery of oil and gas in Namibia, the country will need effective, practical, fair and transparent legal policies to evade the curse of other African countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was emphasized by the Institute for Public Policy Research Executive Director Graham Hopwood last week as he took a swipe at the upstream Petroleum sector in the country, amidst the discovery of oil and gas in the country and the recent announcement by the Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo on the reviewing of the Petroleum Act which is long overdue.…

22 May

Supreme Court undermines constitution –SPYL

info_e12wt4csFeaturedSupreme Court undermines constitution –SPYL

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has condemned the Supreme Court’s ruling, compelling the government to recognize same-sex marriages certified in courts outside the borders of Namibia. The landmark ruling, delivered by a full bench of Judges including Chief Justice Peter Shivute overturned a high court ruling from last year, which refused to recognize same-sex marriages in Namibia. SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo says there is no provision of Namibian laws, written or unwritten, supporting homosexuality. He has since suggested that the SWAPO led government “should avoid participating in the dark forces’ demonic agenda, which aims to undermine our…

22 May

Venaani condemns electricity tariff increase

info_e12wt4csNational NewsVenaani condemns electricity tariff increase

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader, McHenry Venaani says the increase in electricity tariff would only exacerbate the dire economic situation that countless Namibians find themselves in and harm those who are already struggling to make ends meet. This comes after the Electricity Control Board approved an 8.97 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the current financial year, which resulted in a total bulk tariff increase from the current N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour. Venaani said electricity is a fundamental necessity to society, and any increase in tariffs would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. “This…

22 May

Namibia supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Expo 2030

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Expo 2030

Niël Terblanché Namibia has joined the ranks of countries around the globe that will support Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. On Friday, President Hage Geingob received a courtesy visit at State House from the Advisor to the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Kattan. The discussion between the President and the special advisor centred on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and Namibia’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo in 2030 in Riyadh. The World Expo 2030 is expected to present a golden opportunity to…

22 May

Covid-19 prevention measures reinstated at Namibian courts

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Despite the fact that Namibia along with the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency, Namibians might still get infected with the latest evolution of the SARS-CoV2 virus. In this regard, the Office of the Judiciary informed all employees, the legal fraternity as well as the public that precautionary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the superior courts of Namibia will still be enforced. According to an internal office memorandum, the recent increase in the number and in particular the percentage of positive cases in Namibia, necessitated the courts…

22 May

Man rapes 10 year-old son

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMan rapes 10 year-old son

Niël Terblanché The community of Stampriet is reeling with shock, after a man raped his ten-year-old son on Saturday. According Nampol Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the horrific incident came to light after the boy’s aunt walked in on the father having anal sex with the child. The incident of rape occurred at a house in the Adakogus location of Stampriet and was reported to the local police at about 23:00 on Saturday evening. The suspect was arrested shortly after. It was reported that the little boy sustained injuries and had to be taken to the hospital where he was…

22 May

Five arrested on illicit drug charges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFive arrested on illicit drug charges

Niël Terblanche Focussed operations by members of the Namibian Police netted five suspected drug dealers across Namibia over the weekend. According to arrest reports provided by the Public Relations Division of NamPol, one of the suspected drug dealers was arrested in the Drimihopsis settlement in the Gobabis district on Friday evening. “During the police operation, a 29-year-old man after he tried to flee from a police checkpoint in a red Volkswagen Golf. Members of the Namibian Police assisted by members of the Eastern Crime Forum pursued and stopped the vehicle in question and searched of occupants,” the report reads. During…

22 May

Court orders the reinstatement of Sinvula

info_e12wt4csMainCourt orders the reinstatement of Sinvula

Niël Terblanché High Court Judge, Boas Usiku on Friday ordered for the reinstatement of Kisco Sinvula, who was removed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Grootfontein Town Council last year. Sinvula was removed from his post as the Grootfontein municipality’s CEO in March last year and subsequently approached the High Court to review and set aside the council’s decision to suspend him. At the time, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni also ruled that the suspension of Sinvula was not done in accordance with proper procedures, and directed the council to follow regulations in suspending the…

19 May

State requests 8+ years for Madisia and Malundu

info_e12wt4csNational NewsState requests 8+ years for Madisia and Malundu

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The state wants siblings Azaan Madisia (31) and Steven Malundu (25) who were acquitted in the murder of Shannon Wasserfall to serve a jail sentence of nothing less than eight years for tampering with evidence. High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg, convicted the siblings on the charge of Defeating the course of Justice, and acquitted them on the murder and robbery charges. During the process of arguments for the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of a possible jail term before Judge Liebenberg, state prosecutor, Henry Muhungo argued that given the fact that the state could not determine the cause of…

19 May

RA defends choosing Chinese contractors

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRA defends choosing Chinese contractors

Niël Terblanché Following a countrywide outcry over the possible choice of a Chinese contractor for the project to rehabilitate the road between Usakos and Karibib the Roads Authority clarified the prequalification process officially. The Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority, Conrad Lutombi, said in a statement that the tender process is subjected to the inclusion of KfW Development Bank of Germany tender rules and regulations. Lutombi said that the project will be financed through financial cooperation under the NDP5 support programme between Germany and Namibia. In line with financial cooperation, a loan agreement was signed on 13 December 2022…