Page 967 – News Stand

10 Feb

De Klerk’s immunity plans dashed

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMeren De Klerk

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Meren De Klerk’s plans to evade prosecution for his role in the Fishrot corruption scandal by offering himself as a State Witness have been dashed. Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa has revealed that she would only consider his offer after he has been convicted for his role. “We are bound by the Criminal Procedure Act. De Klerk is someone that I have indicted. So as an accused person, the process has begun. If he is to plead guilty, I can’t deny him (to be a state witness),” told Windhoek Observer. According to the PG, de Klerk would need to…

09 Feb

Health Ministry scrambles after AstraZeneca vaccine failure

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAstraZeneca, COVAX, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is scrambling for answers after it emerged that the AstraZeneca vaccine, the same vaccine Namibia is expected to receive through the COVAX facility, is not as effective against the new variant of COVID-19. MOHSS Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, told Windhoek Observer that the ministry’s technical team is meeting urgently. AstraZeneca is manufactured by a British–Swedish pharmaceutical company. "My technical team is discussing the matter right now in the context of those developments. We will then issue a position and the way forward, based on the available information. We are dealing…

09 Feb

Eagle FM ordered to cease broadcasting in Windhoek

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCommunications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Eagle FM

Staff reporter Eagle FM has been barred from broadcasting in Windhoek after it was found in violation of its broadcasting license by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the Windhoek Observer can reveal. The development has seen listeners in Windhoek unable to access the talk radio station. In terms of its license, Eagle FM is only permitted to broadcast in Grootfontein, Ruacana, Eenhana, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Omuthiya, Mariental, Okahandja, Katima Mulilo, Oranjemund, Outapi, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, Swakopmund and Rehoboth. However the station has been illegally broadcasting in Windhoek. CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, confirmed to Windhoek Observer on Monday…

09 Feb

Hands-off Swapo, Geingob

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneySWAPO

Staff Writer Swapo Party regional coordinator for //Kharas and member of the Central Committee, Mathew Mumbala, says the Fishrot scandal is unfairly being used to destroy the ruling party and its leadership ahead of the 2024 elections. “As a party, we have over the years relied on donations and there is know where you can tell if it’s the result of any form of illegal activity. During the liberation struggle we also used to get donations to fund the acquisition of food, weapons and various materials,” he said. “The ruling party never instructed anyone to solicit funds from Fishcor, thus…

06 Feb

Witherto Diasporan reparation movement? tribute to Cde “Hosea” Kamutuua Kandorozu

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedGerman genocide, Ovaherero, Ovammbanderu and Nama., Witherto Diasporan reparation movement, “Hosea” Kamutuua Kandorozu

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro He became so fond wearing the red traditional regalia of the Red Flag from Namibia from where his great grand forebears, 114 years this year had fled, escaping colonial German genocide against the Ovaherero, Ovammbanderu and Nama. Red in the quest for his traditional roots. For Red became the symbol of resistance of his people against German imperialism. To this day when it has become a symbol in the seeming never-ending quest for the redemption of the souls of his ancestors through reparation. A quest which has very much has come to be his embodiment and that of…

06 Feb

The Time Traveler: The end of work?

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedThe end of work?

Hugh Ellis I often feel that a nine-to-five job is a mixed blessing. Don’t misunderstand - I’m immensely grateful for work, the opportunity to improve people’s lives, and the monthly salary that comes with it. But like the secret old Euro-communist that I am, I can’t help thinking that it could be better. Could work not be characterized by joyous activity, rather than drudgery form Monday to Friday, fending off the latest ‘bright idea’ from the boss, and working late - again - just to keep one’s head above water? I mean, I may not be talking about my specific…

06 Feb

Saleh ASSI GETS AROUND U.S. SANCTIONS

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDemocratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Saleh ASSI

Saleh ASSI, a Libanese national who has been under embargo by the American treasury and is not allowed to exercise any commercial activities due to said sanction, has found other means to escape the surveillance and vigilance of the justice system. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Saleh ASSI a Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)-based money launderer and his affiliated companies, including those that have generated tens of millions of dollars for Hizballah, its financiers, and their malign activities. “These designations,” according to OFAC, “…underscore the extent…

06 Feb

Fishrot case transferred to High Court

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedFishrot case transferred, Martha Imalwa, Nengomar, Ricardo Gustavo, Sacky Shanghala

Maria Hamutenya and Andrew Kathindi Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa on Friday went ahead with the prosecution of the fishrot accused in relation to Nengomar case. Nengomar is the joint venture between Namibia and Angola which was managed by one of the fishrot suspects, Ricardo Gustavo. A state application for former justice minister Sacky Shanghala's lackey, Nigel van Wyk, to be added to the Fishrot Nengomar case, also succeeded when the accused appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate Court on Friday. Van Wyk has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud, defeating or attempting to defeat the course of…

06 Feb

Transport permit corruption irks operators

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), Transport permit corruption, Werner Januarie

Maria Hamutenya Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) has accused the Ministry of Works and Transport of allowing the festering of rampant corruption in the issuance of transport permits. The taxi body has alleged the demand of kickbacks by officials issuing transport permits with 58 996 new applications having been approved since November 2004. About 2 500 permits have been issued all over Namibia between 1 January, 2020 and 31 January, 2021. “The corruption there is unquestionable, it’s not even a delay as people are trying to portray. You are just expected to pay somebody a bribe for your application…

05 Feb

Deal still on – Sisa

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Challenge Air, Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU), Public Enterprises ministry, Sisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Sisa Namandje maintains the contentious last minute deal struck between his client, Challenge Air and Air Namibia remains valid despite government distancing itself from the arrangement and the carrier’s board resigning en masse. “They must just pay as ordered by court. If they don’t pay, we will sell the planes and other things. The court order says that once they have not paid, we will execute immediately,” Namandje told Windhoek Observer. According to terms of the deal which was agreed upon by the Air Namibia board, the airline will move ahead to settle its N$182 million debt,…