Windhoek Observer – Page 461 – Windhoek Observer

18 Aug

Swapo given until 30 August to reply to Shipwikineni and others

National News

Martin Endjala The High Court has ordered the Swapo party and presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to respond on or before 30 August to an application challenging Swapo for failing to host an extraordinary congress following President Hage Geingob's death. Judge Kobus Miller is presiding over the matter brought by Reinhold Ngihepavali Shipwikineni, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute and Aina Kalimba Angula. The five Swapo members argue that the decision to postpone the extraordinary congress to April 2025 was a violation of the party constitution. “The first respondent (Swapo) shall file their answering affidavit and counter the…

18 Aug

Shanjin International Gold to Acquire Osino Resources for N$4.8 Billion

Observer MoneyShanjin International Gold Co. Ltd

Martin Endjala Osino Resources has announced that Shanjin International Gold Co. Ltd. (formerly Yintai Gold) will acquire all outstanding common shares of Osino for C$1.90 per share (N$24.77), totalling C$368 million (N$4.8 Billion) The Canadian mining company made the announcement last week. Heye Daun, President and CEO of Osino, confirmed that both Osino and Shanjin have secured approval from the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) for the transaction. “The approval of the NaCC was the final outstanding approval to conclude the arrangement,” he said. The closing of the arrangement is set to occur on or before 29 August. The payment of…

18 Aug

Shikudule school principal denies nepotism in staff restructuring claims

National NewsTaarah Shalyefu

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The principal of Shikudule Combined School, Taarah Shalyefu has refuted allegations of corruption, nepotism, and misconduct levelled against him. According to a letter from an anonymous source, the principal changed a junior primary teacher post to make room for Job Hafeni's fiancée, a geography teacher, and school board secretary. “Investigate and uncover what transpired at this school over the appointment and transfer of the girlfriend/fiance of the school board secretary, Mr Job 'Logik' Hafeni, who is also a geography teacher and school management member but not a head of department at that school,” the letter reads The letter…

18 Aug

Namibia resumes poultry imports from RSA but suspends imports from Brazil

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Namibia has resumed the importation of live poultry and birds from South Africa, following a temporary suspension imposed in September 2023. The suspension was initially enacted due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Africa, prompting Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to halt all imports to protect the local poultry industry. The acting chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Johannes Shoopala, stated in a notice on Friday that the ban has been lifted. “The resumption of imports, however, comes with stringent conditions to ensure the continued safety and…

18 Aug

Powercom expands network connectivity

Observer MoneyNamibian communication industry, PowerCom’s Howobees network tower

Niël Terblanché Stakeholders in the Namibian communication industry have been urged to collaborate more closely to ensure that every citizen can benefit from the digital age. Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, during the groundbreaking ceremony for PowerCom’s Howobees network tower in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency on Thursday, made the call and said the tower will be yet another step in bridging the digital divide in Namibia. "Let us work together to ensure that every Namibian has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age," she said while stressing the need for continued collaboration among government entities,…

18 Aug

Sale of Tsumeb copper smelter approved

Observer MoneyDundee Precious Metals, Namibia Competition Commissio, Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd

Martin Endjala The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) has approved the sale of Dundee Precious Metals’s (DPM) copper smelter in Tsumeb. Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd., a Chinese-owned company purchased the company’s interest in the smelter. “The sale is on track to close as planned in the third quarter of 2024, subject to completing the documentation regarding the revised purchase price and proposed tolling arrangement as disclosed in the company’s management’s discussion and analysis and news release published on August 1, 2024,” said the company in a statement last week. In March this year, the company announced that it had entered…

18 Aug

Clearing agent licenses suspended

National News

Niël Terblanché Importers, exporters, and the general public in Namibia have been advised to ensure that they conduct business with clearing agents who are in possession of valid licenses for 2024 to avoid any operational disruptions. This advice followed after the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) announced the suspension of licenses for clearing agents who have not renewed their licenses for the year 2024. According to the notice issued by the spokesperson of NamRa, Tonateni Shidhudhu, the suspension, that came into effect on Wednesday was performed in accordance with Item 835.00 of Schedule 8 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1998…

15 Aug

Swapo split in Omaheke over new branch leadership

Main

Stefanus Nashama Swapo regional coordinator in the Omaheke region, Ruth Kaukuata-Mbura, has denied having received any reports of a Swapo member being slapped by another. This follows claims by the former Omaheke Swapo Women’s League regional coordinator, Bianca Van Wyk, who alleged that the former Omaheke regional governor, Festus Ueitele, slapped her during the Okorukambe branch meeting in Gobabis. The meeting was set to restructure the branch since the term of the current office bearers has lapsed. “No one was beaten by Ueitele at the branch meeting and my office did not receive any report that Bianca was beaten,” Kaukuata-Mbura…

15 Aug

Calls grow for VAT exemption on essential foods

National NewsJosef Sheehama, McHenry Venaani

Erasmus Shalihaxwe, Martin Endjala and Hilarius Hamutenya There are increasing calls for the exemption of essential food items from Value Added Tax (VAT) to ease the financial burden on households. The call by independent bank researcher and economist Josef Sheehama is part of broader efforts to address the country's high food inflation rate. “Namibia should establish a commodity taskforce and exempt essential food items from VAT. This will relieve pressure on households, particularly those residing in informal settlements,” he said. He suggests establishing a national task force on commodities to regulate food prices and provide subsidies to small-scale farmers. Sheehama…

15 Aug

ELCIN elects first female bishop

National NewsRev. Hilja Nghaangulwa

Ester Mbathera The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) made history on Wednesday when the synod appointed Rev. Hilja Nghaangulwa as the first female bishop for the Eastern Diocese and the mainline churches in the country. The election took place at the ELCIN Centre in Ongwediva during the church's synod. In a competitive race against Rev. Dr. Johannes Haufiku and Rev. Eino Nangula, Rev. Nghaangulwa emerged victorious. In the same synod, Rev. Dr. Gideon Niitenge was elected as the bishop of the Western Diocese, further solidifying the leadership structure of ELCIN. Haufiku, who is also the ELCIN's Secretary General, provided…