Observer – Page 761 – Windhoek Observer

02 Apr

The Time Traveler: Beyond The First 48

ObserverUncategorisedOscar Pistorius, The First 48

Hugh Ellis One of my favorite series to binge-watch is ‘The First 48’. It follows teams of crack detectives during the apparently critical first 48 hours after a murder is reported. The cameras have access - obviously carefully controlled - to crime scene examinations, meetings with witnesses, interrogation of suspects. Sometimes the culprits slip away, but more often than not the detectives turn up something, the murderer makes a mistake, a clue is discovered, and an arrest is made. Then, at least so we are led to believe, the murderer is put on trial, convicted and sent to prison. The…

02 Apr

Namibia gets N$3.9 billion IMF loan

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia gets N$3.9 billion IMF loan

Staff Writer The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a N$3.9 billion (US$270.83 million) loan for Namibia under its Covid-19 Rapid Facility. “The Ministry of Finance wishes to announce the approval of US$270.83 million (about N$3.9 billion as at current exchange rate) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the fiscal financing needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Finance said. The Ministry said the application was done last year from the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) availed by the IMF to middle-income countries. “The RFI provides rapid financial assistance to all IMF member countries (shareholders) facing financial…

02 Apr

Health Ministry fails to suspend violent nurses

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Health Executive Director, Junias Shilunga, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Namibian Nurses Union Secretary General, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, three unidentified nurses

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Rose-Mary Haufiku The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) says its hands are tied when it comes to taking disciplinary action against the three unidentified nurses from the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital who were filmed physically and verbally assaulting a patient. The ministry has not suspended the three but instead assigned them new duties at the hospital while the matter is being investigated. Health Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, said, the Public Service Act dictates the circumstances under which a staff member in the public service may be suspended. "Suspension should first be conducted or effected when you…

02 Apr

Geingob summons Vilho . . . as Venaani dares President

ObserverUncategorisedGeingob summons Vilho, Venaani

Maria Hamutenya President Hage Geingob has summoned Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Peter Vilho, following allegations of illicit proceeds in undeclared foreign bank account. The meeting according to the Presidency is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6 April 2021. “President Geingob has summoned the Minister following consultation with the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister”. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) President, McHenry Venaani, has dared the President to fire Vilho, amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement at August 26 levelled against him. In an open letter to the President on the 31st…

01 Apr

BOOK REVIEW: Towards a People’s Constitution for Botswana

ObserverUncategorisedJustice Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK – A constitution developed through wide consultations with the people that it is intended to serve is more likely to be a widely accepted and respected document than one crafted behind the scenes and foisted onto the people. This seems to be the pith or fulcrum of “Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana”, one of four recent books by Justice Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake. Last year I reviewed two of Dingake’s books, namely, “Judges” and “In Pursuit of Justice”. I promised to review the remaining two books, being, “Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana” (which I review…

01 Apr

BoN declares N$278m dividend

ObserverObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Covid-19

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri The Bank of Namibia on Wednesday declared a N$278.2 million dividend for the 2020 financial year to the State Revenue Fund, lower than the N$399 million declared prior year. This comes as the apex bank declared a N$532 million surplus for the period under review. “The financial performance of the Bank in 2020 was negatively impacted by low interest rates in the global markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; nonetheless the Bank still recorded a notable surplus albeit lower in comparison with 2019. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 was characterised by…

01 Apr

COVID-19 restrictions extended …as Namibia passes COVID-19 death estimates

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob on Wednesday extended the current COVID-19 regulations, with minor changes to the measures. Under the current dispensation, which will last until 30 April, restriction on movement will remain in place from 22h00 until 04h00, daily. Restaurants, bars and shebeens will be permitted to extend the trading hours for liquor up to 22h00, Mondays to Saturdays. The sale of alcohol on Sundays will remain prohibited, while attendance at public gatherings have been increased from the current number of 50 to 100 persons per event, whether the event is held indoor and outdoor. Minister of Health and…

31 Mar

The Dollar-Rand Peg: Time to Decouple?

ObserverUncategorisedCommon Monetary Area (CMA), Covid-19, Namibia, RMB

Carel Jordaan Namibia’s sophisticated and liquid foreign exchange market plays a crucial role in its economy. Notwithstanding the country’s size, we have a very liquid market. Banks, like FirstRand Namibia, have been playing a key role in establishing this market. Equally, banks are instrumental in developing, capacitating and growing its potential. Although the Namibian Dollar replaced the South African Rand in 1993, following Namibia’s independence from its neighbour, the rand remains widely used in Namibia. Moreover, the dollar has been pegged to the rand at one to one as Namibia is a member of the Common Monetary Area (CMA). The…

31 Mar

Windhoek budgets N$350m for cycle lanes … Electric cars not a priority

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, City Spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri The City of Windhoek plans to implement bicycle lanes within the City at an estimated cost of N$350 million for Phase 1. The Windhoek Observer can reveal the development will now make bicycle lanes compulsory for all newly constructed roads moving forward. “Since the City developed the non-motorised transport (NMT) strategy, there is a condition that says ensure that NMT requirements are incorporated in all new developments; private sector and public sector projects alike. Each road within the City should include cycling lanes, going forward,” City Spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, said. The plan, which falls in line with plans…

31 Mar

New 213 applicants awarded fishing quota

ObserverObserver MoneyAlbert Kawana, Erongo, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources

Andrew Kathindi The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Albert Kawana, has announced that 213 new applications for fishing quotas were approved by the Government. This number represents 71 percent of all the successful applicants. According to the ministry, 298 applications were successful out of the initial 5, 176 submitted in 2018. The main beneficiaries for the quotas are applicants in the Khomas region with 11 percent with Erongo with 9,9 percent. Kavango East and Kavango West regions were the lowest with 0,6 percent and 0,4 percent applications approved respectively. "It will also be shown that, unfortunately, some regions did…