Blog – Page 759 – Windhoek Observer

24 Apr

Jooste rules out Shivute’s NHE return …as an investigation is ordered

ObserverUncategorisedGisbertus Mukulu, Hon Erastus Uutoni, Jooste rules out Shivute’s NHE return, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri, Andrew Kathindi National Housing Enterprise (NHE) Board Chairperson, Sam Shivute, will not be reappointed when his term is up, Minister of Public Enterprises, Leon Jooste, has revealed. The revelation by the minister comes with Shivute admitting failure at the company but resisting calls by NHE staff to stepdown as the company Chairperson, citing his imminent departure to the Namibia Revenue Agency ( NamRA) as its head. “The board’s term will expire in about two months and the current Chair will not be considered due to his appointment at NAMRA,” Jooste said. The minister, however, said long-term decisions taken…

23 Apr

Walvis Bay to fork out N$700k for audit

ObserverObserver MoneyMunicipality of Walvis Bay

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Municipality of Walvis Bay has to fork out close to N$700 000 an on-going audit into irregularities at the Municipality. Auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which is currently under investigation by the Public Accounts and Auditor's Board (PAAB) regarding its handling of the August 26 audit, was appointed to carry out the audit. “PriceWaterhouseCoopers was appointed to carry out an independent audit report with a charging fee of N$671,853.00 including VAT and investigation is still in process,” Walvis Bay Municipality Council Communications Officer, Anita Kaihiva, told the Windhoek Observer The revelation comes after the municipality committed to appoint an external…

23 Apr

High Court postpones LPM’s Parliament case

ObserverObserver MoneyBernardus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, Parliament, Peter Katjavivi

Andrew Kathindi A ruling on an urgent application with the High Court, filed by Landless People’s Movement (LPM) to challenge the Speaker’s decision to have the leaders of the LPM withdrawn from the National Assembly, was postponed to Monday 26 April. This was confirmed to Windhoek Observer by Parliament’s Spokesperson, David Nahogandja. “Case postponed to Monday to allow responded enough time to respond.” This comes as LPM’s leader, Bernardus Swartbooi, and the party’s Chief Whip, Henny Seibeb, were removed from Parliament after being deemed by the Speaker, Peter Katjavivi, to be disruptive during a question and answer session with President…

23 Apr

Fishrot cases adjourned

ObserverObserver MoneyBernard Esau, Fishcor, fishrot, James Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya, Philipus Mwapopi, Pius Mwatelulo, Sacky Shangala, Tamson Hatuikulip

Andrew Kathindi Judge Christie Liebenberg has ordered the postponement of the Fishrot corruption Nengomar and Fishcor cases to the 20th of May, while the state prosecution files for a joinder application of the two cases. The Fishrot accused, which included former Fisheries Minister, Bernard Esau, former Justice Minister,Sacky Shangala, former Fishcor Chariman, James Hatuikulipi, former Fishcor CEO, Mike Nghipunya, Tamson Hatuikulip, Pius Mwatelulo, Otneel Shuudifonya, Philipus Mwapopi, will be remanded in custody. This comes as, during the first pre-trial session of the cases’ appearance at the High Court, Judge Liebenberg dismissed an application in which the State Prosecutor, Ed Marondedze,…

22 Apr

Hatuikulipi, Shanghala NCS investigation continues . . . as Fishrot accused head to court

ObserverObserver Moneyfishrot, James Hatuikulipi, Sacky Shanghala

Rose-Mary Haufiku As Fishrot accused, James Hatuikulipi and former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala head to court on Thursday for their pre-trial hearing, an investigation by the Namibia Correctional Services (NCS) continues after they were found in possession of mobile phones. According to NCS Windhoek Correctional Facility Head, Deputy Commissioner Manfred Jatamunua, the investigation in the smuggling of the phones, discovered two weeks ago, has been delayed but will continue, although the intention for it to have been done as soon as possible. “Sometimes considering the type of clients that they are, we are very careful not to do things that…

22 Apr

Parliament upholds Katjavivi’s LPM MPs ruling …as duo heads to court

ObserverObserver MoneyLandless People’s Movement (LPM), Parliament

Andrew Kathindi The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and Internal Arrangements (STROC) has upheld Speaker, Peter Katjavivi’s ruling to bar Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader, Bernardus Swartbooi, and the party’s Chief Whip, Henny Seibeb, from the Parliament’s Chambers. “The Standing Rules and Order Committee met and the decision is that they decided to sustain the ruling of the Speaker and the members remain withdrawn from the chambers,” Parliament Spokesperson, David Nahogandja, told the Windhoek Observer. The decision was taken at a STROC meeting held on Wednesday afternoon. STROC committees are made up of chief whips of the…

22 Apr

Geingob appoints new ministers

ObserverObserver MoneyAlbert Kawana, Derek Klazen, Frans Kapofi, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob has moved Home Affairs Minister, Frans Kapofi, to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs as Minister replacing Peter Vilho who resigned from the position amid allegations of illicit proceeds in an undeclared Hong Kong bank account. Vilho served as minister for a year and a month, after he was appointed by Geingob in March 2020. Kapofi will be replaced by Albert Kawana as the new Home Affairs Minister. Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister, Derek Klazen, has been promoted to head the Fisheries Ministry. Former Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, bounces back as…

21 Apr

Boarding, High schools fingered for spiking COVID-19 cases

ObserverObserver MoneyArts and Culture, Covid-19, Ministry of Education

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Boarding and high schools have been fingered as the main culprits in the spread of Covid-19, amid a spike in learner cases, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has revealed. “We want to determine why there is such a high spike in the number of learners, because we find that it’s mostly in boarding schools. But we also want to see what it is that the schools are doing right and what it is that they need to improve,” the Ministry’s Executive Director (ED), Sanet Steenkamp, said adding that disregard for COVID-19 regulations was found to be…

21 Apr

Venaani demands answers from Parliament

ObserverObserver MoneyBernardus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, McHenry Venaani, Parliament

Andrew Kathindi Parliament's Privileges Committee Vice Chairperson and leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, has accused Parliament of keeping him in the dark over what it plans to charge Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader, Bernardus Swartbooi, and the party's second-in-charge, Henny Seibeb. This comes as a meeting which was scheduled to discuss the fate of two lawmakers did not take place on Tuesday, with Venaani stating that he was not even informed about the postponement. "I find it very strange that two meetings are postponed and I am the Vice Chair of the meeting and I am not being…

20 Apr

Quest for Inclusive Health Care Framework …as SADC MPs demand action on Intellectual Property, TRIPS flexibilities

ObserverObserver MoneyBotswana, Covid-19, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, SADC Members of Parliament, Seychelles

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK - The COVID-19 global pandemic has amplified the need to address issues related to Intellectual Property (IP) and human rights as well as for taking steps to benefit from TRIPS flexibilities to ensure access to medicines for all. As Least Developed Countries (LDCs) join the rest of the world in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, there are concerns over access, transparency, equity and human rights violations. Against this backdrop, SADC Members of Parliament last week called for all hands on board to build the region’s capacity to produce medicines and to ensure that citizens benefit from their vast…