Blog – Page 68 – News Stand

18 Dec

Xinfeng in hot water over illegal mining operations

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Ester Mbathera Xinfeng Investments is facing criminal investigations after being caught red-handed mining illegally in the Uis area of the Erongo region, on 16 November. The mines ministry has also ordered the company, which recently commissioned its N$600 million processing plant, to cease all operations at EPL 8397. Residents and conservancies in the Uis area protested against Xinfeng’s alleged illegal mining. The EPL in question, located at Ringmen Investment (Pty) Ltd, was granted to Orange River Exploration and Mining CC for the exploration of dimension stones, base and rare metals, industrial minerals, and precious metals. Orange River is a joint…

18 Dec

TelecomLeaks: Billing errors cost company N$69.3 million

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Ester Mbathera An internal audit by Telecom Namibia in 2021 red-flagged their weaknesses, listing their troubled billing system, lack of controls and record keeping, costing the company N$69.3 million. The head of internal audit and risk management, Kgomotso Hochobeb, wrote to the Telecom chief executive officer (CEO), Stanley Shanapinda, requesting urgent management intervention in these weaknesses. This audit is part of leaked information from Telecom Namibia valued at N$5.4 billion (U$300 million) by hackers Hunters International. It exposed over 626 gigabytes of sensitive data of over 493 000 individuals, ministries, state-owned enterprises and private businesses. The leaked trove includes copies…

18 Dec

15 Political parties join the electoral material inspection

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Allexer Namundjembo Fifteen political parties, including the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Landless People’s Movement (LPM), accepted an invitation from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to inspect electoral materials. The inspection process started yesterday and will end today (19 December). The process has been criticised over the limited time allocated. Ivan Skrywer, the LPM representative to the ECN, raised concerns about the feasibility of the inspection within the two-day timeframe mandated by the court. Speaking during the inspection at the ECN offices, Skrywer voiced his dissatisfaction with the court’s decision, which he argued did not reflect the seriousness…

18 Dec

Grieving mother demands accountability after fatal truck collision

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The death of a 26-year-old motorcyclist in a collision involving a Seapride Foods delivery truck has raised concerns about the company’s vehicle maintenance practices and accountability. The fatal accident occurred in Windhoek last month. According to police reports, a four-tonne truck reportedly hit a motorcycle on Robert Mugabe Avenue, causing it to collide with other stationary vehicles. The motorcyclist, identified as Romario Tony Pienaar, died at the scene. Romario’s mother, Suzette Elizabeth Dominguez, has since accused Seapride Foods of negligence, alleging that the truck’s brakes were not functioning properly at the time of the accident. “Innocent people were…

18 Dec

Tobias hopes to produce world champions next year

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Boxing promoter, Nestor Tobias has strong hopes that 2025 is going to be a better year for boxing. Tobias expressed the hope during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday while highlighting boxing activities in 2024 and outlining aspirations for 2025. He said 2025 would be better, especially for his stable, as some of his boxers have good chances of winning world titles. “The current crop of boxers in the academy are hungry for success and they show it whenever they step into the ring to fight. Hence, some of them are in the world ranking, which…

18 Dec

Namibian Police issue advisory on preventing burglaries over the festive season

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Niël Terblanché As many Namibians prepare for their festive season travels at the start of the weekend, the Namibian Police issued an advisory to prevent a spike in housebreaking incidents, which typically rise during the holiday season. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the police’s public relations division, stressed the need for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard homes while families celebrate Christmas and other festivities. "We have noted with concern an increase in housebreaking cases, particularly in urban areas, as the festive season approaches," she said. On Tuesday, members of the Namibian Police apprehended five suspects who broke…

18 Dec

Icelandic artist to appeal court ruling against Samherji

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Icelandic artist, Oddur Eysteinn Fridriksson, known as ODEE, has announced plans to appeal a London High Court ruling that upheld Samherji HF’s trademark infringement claims. Fridriksson issued a statement this week following a hearing on the summary judgment delivered on 14 November. Fridriksson alleged that Samherji had escalated its legal costs demand to over £200 000 after initially offering to waive costs if he chose not to appeal. He described the move as coercive and an attempt to suppress his critique of the company’s alleged role in the Fishrot corruption scandal. During a hearing on 17 December, the…

18 Dec

Mbumba receives Cuba’s highest accolade

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Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba's state visit to Cuba not only reinforced the historical bonds of friendship and solidarity but also paved the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation. Mbumba, who is in Cuba on a two-day working visit, received Cuba’s highest accolade, the prestigious National Order of José Martí, which is named after Cuba’s national hero and revolutionary fighter. The Cuban head of state, President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez bestowed the honour on Mbumba at a special ceremony in Havana on Tuesday. While receiving the accolade, Mbumba assured President Bermúdez and the Cuban people of Namibia’s continued support towards the island…

18 Dec

Locals make up 12.8 % of occupancy at NWR establishments for festive season

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Locals make up 12.8% of visitors who booked to stay at Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR) establishments across the country for the festive season. This was confirmed by the NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. ‘’South Africans and German tourists follow, with South Africans showing particular interest in fishing activities along Namibia’s coastal areas. We are, however, on a trajectory to entice local tourism. It is my hope and hope that we reach that goal,’’ he said. Ashipala said the company has observed a surge in bookings for December 2024 and January…

18 Dec

NAMFISA’s Matomola joins leadership of global insurance regulatory body

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Niël Terblanché Kenneth Simataa Matomola, the chief executive officer of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), has been appointed to the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). Matomol’s appointment was announced during the IAIS Annual General Meeting held on 5 December in Cape Town, South Africa. Victoria Raimond, spokesperson for NAMFISA, reiterated the implication of the IAIS as a global standard-setting body. "The IAIS represents over 200 jurisdictions and accounts for 97% of the world’s insurance premiums. Its mission is to promote effective and globally consistent supervision of the insurance industry, ensuring fair, safe,…