Observer – Page 456 – Windhoek Observer

27 Jun

Video recordings to be admissible in courts soon

ObserverNational NewsVideo recordings to be admissible in courts soon

Martin Endjala Video recordings will be considered in trials as testimony in courts once the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice amendments submitted by the Justice Minister is enacted into law. This follows after Cabinet took note of plans to introduce the use of video recordings in trials to assist victims and witnesses in providing accurate testimonies. The introduction will enhance the use of technology in courts around the country to provide for the digital end-to-end process. The bill also aims to enhance the design and establishment of a peerless court system and live streaming of cases…

27 Jun

Infighting erupts in the APP

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The suspended Secretary General of the All People’s Party (APP), Vincent Kanyetu, yesterday said there are serious infights and power struggles between the founders and people who joined the party after its formation. Kanyetu, who was recently suspended from the party, pointed out that the issue at hand is about who who should serve and who should go to Parliament. He also claimed that his suspension was triggered by a statement he recently released in which he declared his resistance against same-sex marriage. In the statement, Kanyetu condemned the recognition of same-sex marriages. “The founders of the party…

27 Jun

Nampol has no budget for more recruits

ObserverNational NewsJoseph Shikongo, Nampol has no budget for more recruits

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police needs to recruit more police officers but is unable to do so at the moment due to budgetary constraints. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo confirmed the dilemma in an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday. Shikongo stated that he has taken note of the high unemployment rate in the country, but reiterated that at the moment it is not possible to advertise more posts at the moment as funds are not able to cover the salaries and other services. “Increasing the number of current recruits is not a problem. Yes, we…

27 Jun

Green Climate Fund wants to assess EIF projects

ObserverNational NewsGreen Climate Fund wants to assess EIF projects

Martin Endjala The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat will be undertaking a mission to Namibia to assess the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia projects from the 26th of June to the 6th of July. The mission is aimed at assessing the quality of project implementation of all the EIF-approved projects, extracting lessons to govern future project implementation and providing recommendations to ensure project results and impacts are achieved. The secretariat will engage the EIF, government, civil society organisations, the Environmental Investment Fund projects staff and management, community-based organisations, and stakeholders on the implementation of all the EIF projects. They will…

27 Jun

AR demands zero cost on governmentstake in the green hydrogen

ObserverMainAR demands zero cost on governmentstake in the green hydrogen

Martin Endjala The Affirmative Repositioning Movement, through its lawyer Kadhila Amoomo demands that the 24 percent stake to the government in Hyphen Africa (Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Pty) Ltd) must be granted at no cost. They are further demanding that Hyphen Africa immediately waive the requirement that the Government of the Republic of Namibia make a financial contribution to obtain a 24 percent stake in the Green Hydrogen Project.The demands are contained in a letter dated 23 June 2023 directed to Hyphen Africa by Amoomo. Amoomo says that their client alarmed by the fact that the government will be required to…

26 Jun

Telecom Namibia signs contract to fast-track digital transformation

ObserverObserver Money

Niël Terblanché Providing access to reliable, speedy and affordable internet services will form a big portion of the new five-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) launched by Telecom Namibia. The launch on 22 June 2023 of the ISBP signalled the start of Telecom Namibia’s journey to replace obsolete technologies and fast-track its digital transformation initiatives. The ISBP is aimed at four overall goals: stabilising the business, business transformation, digitalisation, and digital transformation. The launch coincided with the ceremonial signing of a contract between Telecom Namibia and Sistemas Avanzados De Tecnologia S.A (SATEC), which will kickstart the digital transformation process with…

26 Jun

Windhoek inmates found with 40 phones and drugs

ObserverNational NewsVeikko Armus, Windhoek inmates found with 40 phones and drugs

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between January 2023 to June 2023, 40 mobile phones, 67 sachets of cannabis (283g) 40 pieces of crack cocaine, 2 mandrax tablets, and 42 sachets (941g) of tobacco were found at the Windhoek Correctional Facility. This is according to the officer-in-command of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, Deputy Commissioner Veikko Armas at the conclusion of an anti-contraband campaign which was held in Windhoek this past weekend to sensitise the public on the dangers of such practices. According to Armas, illegal goods are being smuggled into the prison by correctional officers, prison staff, offenders and people visiting inmates and they…

26 Jun

Amupanda appeals against‘rushed’ passing of critical bills

ObserverNational NewsAmupanda appeals against‘rushed’ passing of critical bills, Job Amupanda

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning movement leader and former City of Windhoek Mayor, Job Amupanda has urged the National Assembly (NA) to immediately stop the rushing of bills and the subsequent parliamentary debates, he suggested are rushed and without proper consultation. Amupanda made these demands in a petition addressed to the National Assembly on Friday. “The National Assembly must subject these bills to the normal process in terms of the relevant provisions of the Standing Rules and Order. It would seem that these bills are set to be passed in the shortest possible time. A face-value reading of some of these…

26 Jun

Kawana calls for ethical standards with border officials to attract travelers

ObserverNational NewsAlbert Kawana, Kawana calls for ethical standardswith border officials to attract travelers

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, has called on border officials to work in the spirit of unity and apply ethical standards, as they are the first face of the nation to engage with travelers. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the joint customer service training for Zambezi Region border officials on Friday, Kawana said his office has noted that communication breakdowns and lack of teamwork are some of the major issues causing the problems at the borders. He added that unity and principles are prerequisites among border officials. “Let us avoid working…

26 Jun

Urban Ministry surrenders maintenance functions to regional councils

ObserverNational NewsUrban Ministry surrenders maintenance functions to regional councils

Martin Endjala The Minister of Urban and Rural Development last week decentralised maintenance functions from the Ministry of Works and Transport to the two Kavango Regional Councils. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport, as per the amendment of Government Notice No. 84 of May 15, 2009, which provides for the decentralisation of the maintenance functions, has given over the responsibility to the Kavango East Regional Council. The Government Gazette Notice No. 364 of December 2022 now provides for the decentralisation by delegating the said function to the Kavango East and…