Page 807 – Windhoek Observer

23 Mar

Controversy surrounding NHE Executives’ Cape Town trip

MainControversy surrounding NHE Executives’ Cape Town trip, e National Housing Enterprise

Niel Terblanche In an effort to raise funds to finance the execution of its mandate, the National Housing Enterprise is considering a range of options as well as a host of potential financiers. However, the NHE’s dire financial position has left the state-owned company in a vulnerable position. Besides having to attend to a housing backlog of more than 300 000 living units for Namibians, the staff of the beleaguered SOE is repeatedly threatening to strike because of issues with their salaries. At the same time, staff accuse top management of raking in exorbitant fees for attending board meetings and…

23 Mar

Hopwood blasts Geingob over employment promises

National NewsHopwood blasts Geingob over employment promises, president Hage Geingob

Martin Endjala The Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, Graham Hopwood has blasted the government over its mixed messages on the size of civil services which it said it will cut down to 50 percent. The announcement of more than 2 000 jobs to be created this year will only put more strain on the high budget already accumulated, Hopwood said. According to Hopwood, it is easier for government to add jobs to the defence and police forces because the educational requirements for recruits are relatively low. Hopwood further stressed that President Hage Geingob wants to see the…

23 Mar

My clients are determined to continue fighting – Kadhila

FeaturedDimbulukeni Nauyoma, Kadhila Amoo, Michael Amushelelo, My clients are determined to continue fighting - Kadhila

Stefanus Nashama Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has expressed disappointment in the arrest of activists Michael Amushelelo, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Member of Parliament Inna Hengari during the national protest against unemployment. He said his clients were arrested immediately after they assumed the onerous duty to explain and communicate the High Court order to fellow young people who were already gathered at the venue where the protest was supposed to take place in Windhoek. “This was the most responsible thing to do, because the Court pronounced itself and someone had to inform the gathered unemployed youth,” he stated. Amoomo said footage is available…

23 Mar

PDM condemns activists’ arrests, police brutality

National NewsMan loses N$ 200K Police brutality lawsuit, PDM condemns activists’ arrests

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) yesterday condemned the arrests, alleged police brutality and intimidation of protesters against youth unemployment. This follows the arrest of PDM Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari and activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma on Tuesday after they were reportedly addressing a crowd of young people who showed up to protest against youth unemployment. They were reportedly informing the crowd about a high court verdict dismissing their permission to protest on Independence Day, at Katutura Youth Centre. The Public Gathering of Proclamation of 1989 used by the police to arrest the three protesters was a…

23 Mar

Prioritize inclusivity: General Nainda

National NewsMajor General Anne-Marie Nainda, Prioritize inclusivity: General Nainda

Niel Terblanche New and old government policies in Namibia will henceforth be integrated at all stages and levels with a gender equality perspective to ensure an inclusive decision-making process. The criminal justice sector in Namibia, in particular, will come under the searchlight and in this regard a workshop to create an understanding of the impact of gender mainstreaming in the context of institutional transformation, and the integration of a gender equality perspective. The Deputy Inspector General of the Namibia Police, Major General Anne-Marie Nainda officiated at the opening of the workshop and said that it is imperative to highlight that…

23 Mar

Katjavivi optimistic about peace between Ukraine and Russia

National NewsInter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, Katjavivi optimistic about peace between Ukraine and Russia

Martin Endjala Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi says he is optimistic that continuous collaborative efforts between the parliaments of Ukraine and Russia will result in a breakthrough for peace after Russia invaded Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022. The Speaker made the statement during the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and related meetings, held last week, in Manama, Bahrain. Katjavivi says peace is achievable given the two countries’ willingness to come to one table to discuss meaningful and lasting solutions to the war. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global organization of parliaments that brings together lawmakers to identify international…

22 Mar

Distribution of death benefits from pension funds mandatory

Observer MoneyDistribution of death benefits from pension funds mandatory

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFSA) announced that the institution will ensure pension benefits will be distributed to the beneficiaries of deceased Pension Fund members, as stated by the Pension Funds Act. The process required to be followed by pension funds on the manner of distribution of the benefits following the death of a member. This entails tracing dependents and nominees of members, said NAMFISA Spokesperson, Victoria Muranda in a media statement. Muranda indicated that should the Pension Fund fail to trace any dependents or nominees within a period of 12 months, the balance in the fund…

22 Mar

Crowd threatens to become unruly over Independence Day food

MainCrowd threatens to become unruly over Independence Day food

Niël Terblancé Alarge number of people attending the 33rd Independence celebrations at the Outapi Stadium became unruly when rumours about a shortage of food started spreading among the crowd. It was reported that some of the attendees stormed the tents in which food for the Very Important Persons (VIPs) was kept. Some of the people went through slits on the sides of the tent to get to the food. Others gathered at food trucks in which the food was carted to the venue and demanded that it be given to them. In one case the organisers were forced to inform…

22 Mar

Namibia must move forward in unity

National NewsNamibia must move forward in unity, president Hage Geingob

Niël Terblancé Independence without economic emancipation will impede the peace and stability that Namibians have been enjoying for the past 33 years. President Hage Geingob during his keynote address during Namibia’s 33rd Independence celebrations at Outapi said that the government intends to move with lightning speed to seize opportunities and capitalise on the myriad of economic endowment the country is blessed with. Geingob added that the process will occur in a coordinated manner to ensure that sustainable jobs are created as a matter of urgency. “Indeed, it is a given that we must be forward-looking and there is no better…

22 Mar

Karibib Mayor under fire after opening a new betting business

FeaturedKaribib Mayor under fire after opening a new betting business

Martin Endjala The Mayor of Karibib, Davey van Wyk has come under fire after he reportedly opened a sports betting business, which he is operating in a government building. The business, reportedly situated on the main road of the town, has caused frustration among residents, saying that the mayor’s decision to turn the building, that has not been used for 12 years into his own personal business, is uncalled for. The building used to be a government property used as the town’s library. After some time, the library moved to a different building across the road and has since then…