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Opposition MPs fume over virtual address

Opposition MPs fume over virtual address

Maria Hamutenya Drama ensued in Parliament on Tuesday after President Hage Geingob officially opened Parliament remotely, a position which did not go down well with members of the opposition. The development resulted in opposition party members walking out of the National Assembly Chamber arguing that they have not been consulted about the President addressing them virtually. Popular Democratic Movement leader, McHenry Venaani, said COVID-19 cannot be viewed as an unforeseen circumstance, because arrangements were made and how many people should be in the house to accommodate the President. “Why did the President not come? That it is threatening [to] our…
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Geingob welcomes Parly action on GBV

Geingob welcomes Parly action on GBV

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob officially opened the 3rd Session of the 7th Parliament on Tuesday. He welcomed the planned tabling of the Combating of Rape Amendment Bill and the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Bill, as government moves to implement stiffer penalties and sentences for offenders. “A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its women and children is a nation, which can never ascend to the lofty heights of prosperity. Crimes that are aimed at women and children, often in the most brutal fashion, have become persistent in our society, with devastating consequences. This cannot be tolerated. I…
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De Klerk’s immunity plans dashed

De Klerk’s immunity plans dashed

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Meren De Klerk’s plans to evade prosecution for his role in the Fishrot corruption scandal by offering himself as a State Witness have been dashed. Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa has revealed that she would only consider his offer after he has been convicted for his role. “We are bound by the Criminal Procedure Act. De Klerk is someone that I have indicted. So as an accused person, the process has begun. If he is to plead guilty, I can’t deny him (to be a state witness),” told Windhoek Observer. According to the PG, de Klerk would need to…
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Health Ministry scrambles after AstraZeneca vaccine failure

Health Ministry scrambles after AstraZeneca vaccine failure

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is scrambling for answers after it emerged that the AstraZeneca vaccine, the same vaccine Namibia is expected to receive through the COVAX facility, is not as effective against the new variant of COVID-19. MOHSS Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, told Windhoek Observer that the ministry’s technical team is meeting urgently. AstraZeneca is manufactured by a British–Swedish pharmaceutical company. "My technical team is discussing the matter right now in the context of those developments. We will then issue a position and the way forward, based on the available information. We are dealing…
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Eagle FM ordered to cease broadcasting in Windhoek

Eagle FM ordered to cease broadcasting in Windhoek

Staff reporter Eagle FM has been barred from broadcasting in Windhoek after it was found in violation of its broadcasting license by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the Windhoek Observer can reveal. The development has seen listeners in Windhoek unable to access the talk radio station. In terms of its license, Eagle FM is only permitted to broadcast in Grootfontein, Ruacana, Eenhana, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Omuthiya, Mariental, Okahandja, Katima Mulilo, Oranjemund, Outapi, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, Swakopmund and Rehoboth. However the station has been illegally broadcasting in Windhoek. CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, confirmed to Windhoek Observer on Monday…
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Hands-off Swapo, Geingob

Hands-off Swapo, Geingob

Staff Writer Swapo Party regional coordinator for //Kharas and member of the Central Committee, Mathew Mumbala, says the Fishrot scandal is unfairly being used to destroy the ruling party and its leadership ahead of the 2024 elections. “As a party, we have over the years relied on donations and there is know where you can tell if it’s the result of any form of illegal activity. During the liberation struggle we also used to get donations to fund the acquisition of food, weapons and various materials,” he said. “The ruling party never instructed anyone to solicit funds from Fishcor, thus…
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Witherto Diasporan reparation movement? tribute to Cde “Hosea” Kamutuua Kandorozu

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro He became so fond wearing the red traditional regalia of the Red Flag from Namibia from where his great grand forebears, 114 years this year had fled, escaping colonial German genocide against the Ovaherero, Ovammbanderu and Nama. Red in the quest for his traditional roots. For Red became the symbol of resistance of his people against German imperialism. To this day when it has become a symbol in the seeming never-ending quest for the redemption of the souls of his ancestors through reparation. A quest which has very much has come to be his embodiment and that of…
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The Time Traveler: The end of work?

Hugh Ellis I often feel that a nine-to-five job is a mixed blessing. Don’t misunderstand - I’m immensely grateful for work, the opportunity to improve people’s lives, and the monthly salary that comes with it. But like the secret old Euro-communist that I am, I can’t help thinking that it could be better. Could work not be characterized by joyous activity, rather than drudgery form Monday to Friday, fending off the latest ‘bright idea’ from the boss, and working late - again - just to keep one’s head above water? I mean, I may not be talking about my specific…
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Saleh ASSI GETS AROUND U.S. SANCTIONS

Saleh ASSI, a Libanese national who has been under embargo by the American treasury and is not allowed to exercise any commercial activities due to said sanction, has found other means to escape the surveillance and vigilance of the justice system. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Saleh ASSI a Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)-based money launderer and his affiliated companies, including those that have generated tens of millions of dollars for Hizballah, its financiers, and their malign activities. “These designations,” according to OFAC, “…underscore the extent…
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Fishrot case transferred to High Court

Fishrot case transferred to High Court

Maria Hamutenya and Andrew Kathindi Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa on Friday went ahead with the prosecution of the fishrot accused in relation to Nengomar case. Nengomar is the joint venture between Namibia and Angola which was managed by one of the fishrot suspects, Ricardo Gustavo. A state application for former justice minister Sacky Shanghala's lackey, Nigel van Wyk, to be added to the Fishrot Nengomar case, also succeeded when the accused appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate Court on Friday. Van Wyk has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud, defeating or attempting to defeat the course of…
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