Observer – Page 731 – Windhoek Observer

13 Nov

Investigations into BDF killings yet to commence

ObserverObserver MoneyBotswana, Botswana Defence Forces (BDF), Namibia

Clifton Movirongo It has emerged that the investigation into the fatal shooting of four unarmed Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Forces (BDF) will only begin next week on 17 November 2020, 11 days after the incident occurred. NamPol Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the joint investigations regarding the killings will only start week. On November 5 along the Chobe River which flows between Namibia and Botswana, the BDF shot and killed four unarmed fishermen who they alleged were poachers. The soldiers opened fire at close range, killing three brothers and their cousin. Ndeitunga said…

12 Nov

Swapo must update its campaign rhetoric

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Defence, SWAPO

The spate of strange and inappropriate comments from Swapo speakers on the campaign trail is embarrassing. The crowds listening to high public officials pontificate about their voting choices at the end of this month are not the same crowds that were listening to Swapo heroes in 1989. Swapo speakers must update themselves and not be so out of date. Most of those in the crowds hearing these odd speeches were in kindergarten or not even born when such virulent, ‘anyone-not Swapo-is-an-enemy’ speeches were relevant. People in the voting mainstream don’t think like that anymore after 30 years of independence. The…

12 Nov

Expelled PDM member in surprise U-turn

ObserverObserver MoneyHafeni Mafita, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)-expelled John Pandeni constituency candidate Hafeni Mafita has revealed that he is willing to sit with PDM bosses and return to the party’s fold, a week after he was booted from the party. This comes after ECN has declined the opposition party’s request to have him withdrawn and replaced on the ballot. “I am willing to go back to PDM as I am planning to issue a public and party apology. I just want to apologize and make peace with everyone,” said Mafita. Mafita said he is still campaigning for votes during the upcoming…

12 Nov

Hydrology unit issues flood warning

ObserverObserver MoneyHardap Dam, Hydrological, Meteorological, Namwater, OPM - Disaster Risk Management

Clifton Movirongo The Hydrology Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has warned that Namibia will be receiving above normal rainfall from November this year to April of 2021 and that this will have an effect particularly in the flood prone areas. Namibia’s flood prone areas include the Cuvelai Delta, Lower Kuiseb catchment, Hardap - Mariental, the Lower Orange River and the three northern rivers namely the Kunene, Okavango and Zambezi Rivers. Head of the Hydrology Unit at the MAWLR Paulina Mufeti revealed this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, as she stressed that the…

11 Nov

Racist homes breed racist children

ObserverNational NewsCOVID, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS)

When young students use racism as a weapon against their fellow students as has been reported as commonplace in the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) in Windhoek, it means that the families of those offending students are racist. White people don’t like being called racist and always believe that their two black friends or the fact that they give their second-hand clothes to their black maid is a badge of non-racism. This year of George Floyd and COVID and economic disaster has been a golden opportunity for all people to introspect. We must find a way to live together or shrivel…

11 Nov

Simplifying insurance

ObserverUncategorisedOld Mutual

Riaan Vermeulen Ideally, insurance should be your safety net, but for many, it’s a minefield. Old Mutual Short-Term Insurance Company has compiled seven quick, easy to understand pointers, designed to save you money, time and stress. Insurance can be an overwhelming topic. Faced with reams of documents, most of us tend to skim over the words, flip to the last page and simply hope for the best. Not wise, because in the event of having to make a claim, ignorance of the facts can make an unwelcome difference. There are a few hard and fast rules which make a world…

11 Nov

Air Namibia suspends Joburg, Cape Town route

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia

Staff Writer Air Namibia has announced that it will be temporarily suspending flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg for a period of four weeks as aircraft that service the route will be undergoing scheduled heavy maintenance checks. “Air Namibia’s two (2) Embraer Jet (ERJ) aircraft will undergo scheduled heavy maintenance checks from 16 November 2020. These checks are expected to be completed within 4 weeks. Air Namibia’s ERJ fleet is used for servicing all domestic routes, as well as Cape Town and Johannesburg routes. Given the afore-stated maintenance activities, the airline will be operating 2 of the 4 aircraft only…

11 Nov

ECN finally calls Shalli to order

ObserverObserver MoneyECN, Electoral Commission of Namibia, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), RT Lieutenant General Martin Shalli

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia, (ECN) has at last called out retired Lieutenant General of the army Martin Shalli after his comments about ‘cutting throats of Swapo party defectors’ drew widespread criticism. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Vice-President Jennifer Van Den Heever laid a criminal charge at the Windhoek Police Station against retired Major-General. Shalli made these comments while campaigning for Swapo in Okahandja on Saturday 7 November. “The ECN has noted with concern a video clip circulated on various media platforms where one of the leaders of the Swapo party, RT Lieutenant General Martin Shalli…

11 Nov

Three shortlisted for PG post

ObserverObserver MoneyJudicial Service Commission (JSC), Olyvia Martha Imalwa, Prosecutor General (PG), Ruth Modesta Herunga, Taswald Theo July

Helena Johannes The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has revealed that Olyvia Martha Imalwa, current Prosecutor General (PG), Ruth Modesta Herunga and Taswald Theo July have been shortlisted for the previously advertised position of the Prosecutor General (PG). “The Judicial Service Commission was pleased to note the keen interest the Namibian public has taken in the selection process of the Prosecutor-General. The interest shown from a variety of sectors and institutions assures the Commission that its principled decision to open up the process was a rightful one,” Spokesperson of the Office of the Judiciary, Ockert Jansen said. Judicial Service Commission said…

10 Nov

US credibility about elections is tainted

ObserverNational Newselections, US

Free and fair elections are a major pillar of a healthy democracy. One of the major casualties for the United States after the negativity and uncertainty of its 2020 national elections is its self-appointed role as a monitor/arbiter of electoral democracy worldwide. US judgements on other people’s elections have been a bell-weather on a country’s access to development assistance, trade agreements and global recognition. Those days are gone; US credibility to judge other people’s elections now carries the taint of hypocrisy. The outgoing US president, Donald Trump, has been clear that if he did not win a second term, the…