Windhoek Observer

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay Rural councillor Florian Donatus used the Erongo Regional Council credit card to buy cosmetics and groceries, according to invoices in possession of the Windhoek Observer.  Donatus was recently charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering over N$116 000 at the council. A shopping invoice Metro in Walvis Bay shows purchases billed to the council that include two tubs of dairy ice cream, a can of deodorant, bubble bath in different scents, and other groceries such as dishwashing liquid, washing powder, cooking oil, sugar, and luncheon meat.  His conduct prompted minister of urban and rural development James…

Justicia Shipena A group of more than 17 health assistants in Ohangwena say the government has left them in the cold and remained silent after their contracts were terminated following the freezing of United States aid. The assistants were employed under Potentia and funded by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  On Wednesday, they handed a petition to the Ohangwena health directorate, pleading to be re-employed. Speaking on behalf of the group, Selma Heita said they had served the ministry for over a decade and felt abandoned.  “It’s really saddening to hear that our contract is…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says her administration will not tolerate high markups on essential goods, especially in the health sector. Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was not opposed to removing middlemen from the Health Ministry’s procurement process. Last month, the Ministry of Health stopped using middlemen in the procurement of medicines and clinical supplies, choosing instead to buy directly from international manufacturers and wholesalers. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the decision has already saved the government more than N$221 million in the first phase. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the savings will be reinvested into improving the country’s public health system.  “We have cut…

Justicia Shipena The deputy minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has called for stronger national support for teachers’ mental health. He said their well-being is essential to the success of the country's education system. Speaking at the launch of the Teachers’ Mental Health Awareness Campaign in Keetmanshoop on Friday, Ballotti said the initiative aims to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of care in schools.  The launch took place ahead of World Teachers’ Day, which Namibia celebrated with the rest of the world on Sunday.  “When teachers are well, schools shall be…

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spent N$800 000 more in completing the construction of its Erongo Regional Office in Swakopmund after appointing a new contractor to finish the project. Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel said the project was initially valued at N$19.2 million.  She said after the first contractor was terminated in August 2018, when the work was 78% complete, the remaining construction was completed for N$8.3 million. The expansion of the Swakopmund office started in 2015 with the construction of a new office block.  The project faced delays due to poor workmanship by the…

Allexer Namundjembo The government is considering building a shared office complex for Namibia’s former presidents, prime minister Elijah Ngurare said on Thursday.  Ngurare said this is the idea, instead of constructing individual offices for each. Ngurare made the announcement in Parliament while responding to questions from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani about post-presidency arrangements for former president Nangolo Mbumba. He explained that the Former President’s Pension and Other Benefits Act of 2004 governs the benefits extended to former presidents and does not require the construction of separate offices. He said the idea of a shared office complex would…

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has warned that damaging or destroying Namibian currency is a criminal offence that can result in jail time or a heavy fine. The warning follows a viral social media video showing the newly launched N$5 coin destroyed.  In a statement issued on Saturday, BoN said damaging or defacing legal tender is illegal under section 80(3)(a) of the Bank of Namibia Act and is punishable by a fine of up to N$50 000 or imprisonment of up to three years. “The currency must be treated with care. It is not only a medium of…