info_e12wt4cs – Page 585

11 Oct

BoN takes on the role of licensing payment providers

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) will now handle the licensing and regulation of payment service providers instead of sharing the responsibility with the Payments Association of Namibia (PAN). The move is in line with the recently promulgated Payment System Management Act 14 of 2023 (the PSM Act). The Deputy Governor of BoN Leonie Dunn, said the rationale for having a single regulator is to provide regulatory certainty, reduce the administrative load on payment service providers by eliminating the need to interact with two regulators, and bring the domestic national payment system in line with international best practices. She…

11 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

Martin Endjala Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has assured Namibians that the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections next year will be conducted with the highest standards. She stated that neither Namibians nor opposition parties should be concerned about any sabotage. “I would like to allay any concerns or fears that the Hon. Member might have regarding the upcoming 2024 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and good governance,” she said. This includes working in the context of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, of which Namibia…

11 Oct

Proposed compulsory DNA testing could violate constitutional rights

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, expressed concern yesterday that the legislature’s proposed compulsory DNA testing might infringe upon fundamental constitutional rights.“In my informed view, compulsory DNA testing, without an accompanying criminal offence, would likely fail a legal challenge. I cannot envision a judge authorizing it without violating a basic constitutional right,” Itula declared. His comments follow a proposal from the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Christine //Hoebes, earlier this year. She suggested that lawmakers should explore ways to make DNA testing mandatory and more accessible. The idea of obligatory DNA testing has also…

11 Oct

Khomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKhomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Khomas Regional Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s vehicle moratorium, stating that it has adversely impacted service delivery for the council. Last week, the National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing engaged with officials responsible for the Government Garage to assess the impact of the government’s moratorium on vehicle procurement for Offices, Ministries, Agencies (OMAs), and Regional Councils. The committee’s oversight mission aims to evaluate various issues, including the accessibility, reliability, and safety of government vehicles and transport in general. During the engagement, Governor Katjirua voiced her concerns regarding the moratorium’s impact on…

11 Oct

Non-NUDO members attacking the leadership – Kauandenge

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNon-NUDO members attacking the leadership - Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Joseph Kauandenge, the Secretary-General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), has stated that none of the party members are at the forefront of attacking democratically elected leaders or interfering in internal affairs under the pretext of “Otjira tjo tjiuana.” Kauandenge described these agitators as failed politicians, scholars, unsuccessful businesspeople, former ambassadors, armchair critics, and even failed pastors. He expressed disbelief at how such individuals feel they possess the moral authority to criticize Nudo leaders. “Just as a household has its hierarchy, so does Nudo. Not everyone can simply walk in from the streets and attempt to seize…

11 Oct

Housing and utility prices increased significantly

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHousing and utility prices increased significantly

Martin Endjala According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s annual inflation rate for September 2023, Consumer Index for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels component has increased from 2.1 to 3.0 percent, accounting for 28.4 percent of the consumer spending. The increase in the annual inflation rate for this category was mainly reflected in the subgroup of Electricity, gas, and other fuels which registered 7.7 percent compared to 5.0 percent witnessed in September 2022, and rental payments of dwellings recorded 2.1 percent compared to 1.4 percent recorded in September of the preceding year. During September 2023, Statistician-General and Chief Executive…

11 Oct

Outdated personal files delay pension payments

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOutdated personal files delay pension payments

Stefanus Nashama The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has indicated that outdated personal files of members and beneficiaries are causing delays in distributing pension benefits. This insight was shared by Amos Kambonde, GIPF’s Manager of Marketing Service. “It’s imperative for members to ensure their files are current. By doing so, when a benefit is due, the fund can disburse the pension benefits promptly,” Kambonde emphasized. Kambonde highlighted the challenges faced by the fund in timely benefit payouts to members and their beneficiaries. Among these challenges is the payment of death benefits. Many of these delays arise due to the absence…

11 Oct

Rössing Foundation benefits from golf series

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDan Zwiebel, Rössing Foundation benefits from golf series, said the Nedbank for Autism Series

Martin Endjala The 2023 Nedbank for Good Series which concluded on 6 October 2023 at the Omeya Golf Club, saw a total of N$250,000 being raised for the Rössing Foundation. The tournament organiser Dan Zwiebel, said the Nedbank for Autism Series was an event that they ran for three years. “We raised valuable funds, which we channelled to that cause. After three years, we decided to do a name change, as we felt that there are so many charities that need our support, which is why we moved to the Nedbank for Good Series in support of the Rössing Foundation,”…

11 Oct

Four Namibians might be trapped in Gaza conflict

info_e12wt4csMainFour Namibians might be traped in Gaza conflict

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Four Namibian citizens might be caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Executive Director Penda Naanda, stated that the ministry received an anonymous email suggesting that two adults and two children are currently in Tel Aviv a city in Israel. Naanda noted that they were in the process of confirming the accuracy of this information. “We were recently informed about two adults and two children who travelled to Tel Aviv for a medical operation. The email states that…

10 Oct

U20 Loses First Round match for the FIFA U20 World Cup Qualifiers

info_e12wt4csSportsU20 Loses First Round match for the FIFA U20 World Cup Qualifiers

Namibia’s U20 national football team faced a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Congo Brazzaville, in the first leg of the FIFA U20 World Cup qualifiers. The game started well for the young gradiators when kicked off with a goal by Albertine Fillipus in the 19th minute, however, Congo Brazzaville responded as Rutha Tokassi found the back of the net just eight minutes later, leveling the score at 1-1. Pauline Mbayo netted another goal, giving Congo Brazzaville a 2-1 lead that they managed to maintain until the final whistle. In the after math of the match, Coach Errol Damaseb…