Blog – Page 716 – Windhoek Observer

06 Feb

Transport permit corruption irks operators

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), Transport permit corruption, Werner Januarie

Maria Hamutenya Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) has accused the Ministry of Works and Transport of allowing the festering of rampant corruption in the issuance of transport permits. The taxi body has alleged the demand of kickbacks by officials issuing transport permits with 58 996 new applications having been approved since November 2004. About 2 500 permits have been issued all over Namibia between 1 January, 2020 and 31 January, 2021. “The corruption there is unquestionable, it’s not even a delay as people are trying to portray. You are just expected to pay somebody a bribe for your application…

05 Feb

Deal still on – Sisa

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Challenge Air, Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU), Public Enterprises ministry, Sisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Sisa Namandje maintains the contentious last minute deal struck between his client, Challenge Air and Air Namibia remains valid despite government distancing itself from the arrangement and the carrier’s board resigning en masse. “They must just pay as ordered by court. If they don’t pay, we will sell the planes and other things. The court order says that once they have not paid, we will execute immediately,” Namandje told Windhoek Observer. According to terms of the deal which was agreed upon by the Air Namibia board, the airline will move ahead to settle its N$182 million debt,…

04 Feb

No plans for ivermectin COVID-19 treatment

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Staff Reporter The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) has no plans to use the ivermectin drug, stating that there is not enough evidence to its effectiveness. The drug was approved for limited use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, and by the Zimbabwean government. “In Namibia it is not registered for human use. There is always excitement when any drug is believed to be beneficial in treating COVID-19. We are familiar with the history of hydroxychloroquine. There was hype about it and many others and Ivermectin is just joining the long list of those types of…

04 Feb

Air Namibia board resigns …accuses shareholder of governance violations

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Escher Luanda, Heritha Muyoba, Leon Jooste, Ministry of Public Enterprises, Willy Mertens

Staff Writer The Air Namibia board resigned en masse on Wednesday after writing a scathing letter, accusing government of corporate governance violations in its dealing with the airline. First to hand in his resignation was Willy Mertens, who is reported to have resigned on Monday, after the airline on Friday had entered into a settlement agreement with Belgian company, Challenge Air whom it owed for a 1998 airplane lease agreement. Air Namibia board Chairperson, Escher Luanda, and Heritha Muyoba are reported to have tendered their resignations on Wednesday, a position confirmed by Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste, with the status…

03 Feb

One Economy hosts entrepreneurship masterclass

ObserverUncategorisedAfrica Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Staff Writer The One Economy Foundation (ONE) recently hosted an Entrepreneurship Masterclass which was attended by 50 entrepreneurs, where they pitched their various ideas. The attendees benefited from business skills development sessions, including conducting market research, business registration process, complying with statutory requirements, networking, and partnership development. The entrepreneurs also received information on how they can leverage opportunities through the recently launched Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Johaness Shiwombolo, a chemist by profession, walked away with the N$10,000 prize for the best business idea of a detergent company he started last year following his retrenchment. His business, SG Cleaning…

03 Feb

Understand banking fees to save money

ObserverUncategorisedBank Windhoek

Hayley Allen To help customers succeed in their financial goals this year, Bank Windhoek urges them to understand their banking fees to avoid unnecessary charges and penalties. Customers who understand their banking fees can learn to manage their accounts effectively and save money in the process. Bank fees refer to any compulsory charges by financial institutions on the personal and business accounts of customers utilised for the set-up, maintenance, and transactional services related to the account. The bank may charge these fees annually, monthly, or on a pay-as-you-use basis. To help customers better understand banking fees and save money, below…

03 Feb

President denies systematic corruption in Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob insists corruption in Namibia is not a systemic problem, but rather a result of some corrupt officials. The President remarked at the official opening of Cabinet this year. “I believe that corruption is not systemic in Namibia, but perceptions have been created that Namibia is a corrupt society. Although corruption is not systemic in Namibia, we recognise that some corrupt officials have tainted the name of our country. It is therefore important for all citizens to emphasise that corruption in any form, e.g. kickbacks, or percentage commission for the amount of a contract, is unacceptable,”…

03 Feb

Theft tops Namibia’s crime offences…as murder and rape remain a concern

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibian Correctional Service

Andrew Kathindi Theft and traffic fines top criminal offenses committed countrywide since last March, the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) has revealed. Altogether 524 theft offences were committed by inmates admitted into correctional facilities from March 2020- January 2021, while 345 traffic offenses were committed during the period under review. “It is interesting to note that theft (which is classified as an economic offence) was the most common offence with 524 offenders incarcerated for that offence,” Commissioner Meunajo Tjiroze, Directorate Reintegration in the NCS told Windhoek Observer. She added, “The second most occurring offence is stock theft (which is classified as…

02 Feb

Women entrepreneurship initiative kicks off

ObserverUncategorisedBank Windhoek, Katuka Mentorship Programme

Staff Writer Forty-eight mentors and mentees will officially kick off this year’s Katuka Mentorship Programme in Windhoek. Well-known human resource specialist Sabine Ruegg will conduct the three-day orientation programme. The Katuka Mentorship Programme aims to empower and encourage entrepreneurs, business and professional women to succeed in their careers through mentorship by seasoned business and professional women. The late Lena Markus, former Businesswoman of the Year 2000 in the category Corporate/Professional, founded the Programme. In its twentieth year, the Programme has produced significant results in the careers of the participating mentees. To date, 401 entrepreneurs and businesswoman have completed the programme.…

02 Feb

CoW moves against colonial statues, street names

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, CoW Mayor Job Amupanda

Maria Hamutenya City of Windhoek (CoW) is next week set to deliberate on the removal of the Kurt von Francois statue and the changing of colonial street names in the capital. The move comes amid calls for statue removal and name change in some of the city roads, with current CoW Mayor, Job Amupanda having led the charge, calling for the Kurt von Francois statue to be replaced by human rights activist Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda. “The changing of street names still has to go to council for a decision. It was elaborated on at a management committee meeting and yes…