Observer

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Special treatment claims swell around Harvey Boulter, Dennis Noa

Special treatment claims swell around Harvey Boulter, Dennis Noa

Maria Hamutenya and Rose- Mary Haufiku The recent transfer of rape accused Dennis Noa from Wanaheda Police Station to Seeis Police station on the outskirts of Windhoek has brought perceptions of special treatment for high profile suspects in Namibia. Dennis Noa, son of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director, Paulus Noa, appeared on Wednesday for the first time at the Katutura Magistrate court on allegations of sexually violating an 18 years old male patient at Katutura Hospital. The patient is in Intensive Care Unity (ICU) after sustaining a head injury from a car accident. According to Deputy Commisioner Kupembona responsible for Investigation…
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COVID-19 deaths near 600 mark

COVID-19 deaths near 600 mark

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Namibia’s COVID-19 death toll continues to grow at an exponential rate, with the country recording up to 125 deaths in one month. Since the outbreak of the virus, the country’s COVID-19 deaths are close to breaching the 600 mark, with a total of 599 deaths recorded to date, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS).“The Health Ministry has announced three new deaths in Windhoek district,” Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula said. According to Shangula, 145 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed from the 1253 results received from the…
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SOE directors to be financially liable for decisions

SOE directors to be financially liable for decisions

Maria Hamutenya, Andrew Kathindi Public Enterprise Minister, Leon Jooste, says State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) directors appointed to boards will now be made financially liable for any decision that they enter into on behalf of SOEs that are not in the best interest of the entity. According to Jooste, the Public Enterprises Governance Act (PEGA) has a provision that makes directors appointed, personally liable for the financial implication of the decisions which they enter into on behalf of the said SOE. The development comes as multitudes of Namibians have been applying to seat on SOE boards mainly induced by the benefits and…
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ReconAfrica makes onshore oil and gas find in the Kavango

ReconAfrica makes onshore oil and gas find in the Kavango

Staff Writer Listed Canadian oil and gas company, Reconnaissance Energy Africa announced on Thursday that it has found oil and gas indicators and shows over three intervals at its first well onshore the Kavango. The well according to the company, found more than 200 metres of indicators and shows. “The components and processes for a working petroleum system are all present, “ReconAfrica’s board member Dan Jarvie. Jarvie said shows indicated “migrated, thermogenic petroleum” had been found over three intervals in the Kavango Basin well. “Mud gas results indicate a high BTU gas with the presence of light oil in numerous…
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Uutoni, Jooste in the dark over NHE suspensions

Uutoni, Jooste in the dark over NHE suspensions

Rose-Mary Haufiku The two line ministers under which the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) falls under, Erastus Uutoni and Leone Jooste are not aware that the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gisbertus Mukulu, had suspend four of the enterprise’s senior managers. Mukulu’s action, which has been seen as retaliation, comes after the managers had formally written a letter to company’s board chaired by recently appointed NamRa boss, Sam Shivute, questioning the CEO’s competence. Public Enterprises Minister, Leone Jooste whose ministry is charged with ensuring corporate governance is followed in government institutions, said he had not been consulted on the decision. “I…
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AstraZeneca finally arrives …as ministry misses vaccination target

AstraZeneca finally arrives …as ministry misses vaccination target

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Namibia is set to get more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the much-awaited AstraZeneca expected to arrive in the country Friday morning. According to Health Ministry Deputy Executive Director, Petronella Masabane, the consignment will be the first of three tranches of doses the country will be expecting. “First tranche of 24 000 doses will be landing. Next week expecting more and the rest of the allocation in May from COVAX, also exploring other pipelines," Masabane said. The arrival of the vaccine, which is being sourced under COVAX facility, comes more than three months after it was initially…
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Chaos reigns in Parliament again …as Geingob delivers his state of the nation

Chaos reigns in Parliament again …as Geingob delivers his state of the nation

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob’s State of the Nation address (Sona) was brought to an unceremonious end when chaos broke out in Parliament on Thursday. Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader, Bernardus Swatbooi, and the party’s second in charge, Henny Seibeb, where thrown out of Parliament during a question-and-answer session after the President had delivered his Sona. Seibeb appeared to have been removed by the President’s guards from the chambers after flinging documents in the direction of Geingob. According to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, he foresaw this coming. "This has been coming for a while. I really…
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GIPF increases pension benefits

GIPF increases pension benefits

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced a 3 percent pension benefit increase, effective 01 April 2021 for all GIPF pensioners. The decision according to the fund, is aimed at cushioning pensioners against touch economic conditions in the country, which have in turn eroded consumer’s purchasing power. “Amidst the current volatile economic outlook, the Fund continues to provide guaranteed benefits to members. A pension increase serves to cushion pensioners from unexpected changes in their purchasing power and hence the incessant ability to increase members’ benefits annually is driven by the Fund’s collective commitment to guard and grow…
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BoN Governor defends high bank charges

BoN Governor defends high bank charges

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Bank of Namibia (BoN) Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, has come out in defence of existing high banking fees and charges,stating that it was not the role of the central bank to detect what should be charged. This comes amid concern that high bank charges and fees in the country are contributing to financial exclusion, as members of the public shy away from the formal banking system. “We need to be careful that we don’t go tell the banks ‘thou shall charge the following fees’ because if that happens then we have got issues with financial stability in the country…
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Swartbooi threatens to report PM to ACC

Swartbooi threatens to report PM to ACC

Andrew Kathindi Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader, Bernardus Swartbooi, is threatening to report Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations that she illegally occupied a farm which she sold to Government. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform approved the purchase of two farms belonging to the Prime Minister to the tune of N$14 million. Swartbooi alleged that the Prime Minister illegally occupied the farms that were originally placed under her portfolio, but meant to be rehabilitated for resettlement of generational workers from the San Community. “Once we have acquired each and every part of…
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