Blog – Page 795 – News Stand

04 Dec

Namibia records 56% spike in COVID-19 cases …amidst Omicron variant outbreak worldwide

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Tujoromajo Kasuto Given the meteoric rise in the number of new infections of COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is calling for people to observe preventive measures more than before. The MoHSS has today announced 184 new COVID-19 confirmed cases from 3 108 results in the last 24 hours reporting cycle representing a 56 percent increase compared to the 81 cases recorded yesterday. Khomas region reports the highest number of new cases totaling 140 making up 76 percent of the total confirmed cases. This is 40.2 percent increase from the 66 cases recorded yesterday. The new…

03 Dec

LPM calls on learners to seek remedy in courts over exams suspension

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyArts and Culture, Bernardus Swaartboi, Landless People’s Movement (LPM), LPM’s leader, Ministry of Education, Sanet Steenkamp

Eba Kandovazu THE Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says it is prepared to support parents and guardians of Grade 11 and 12 learners who intend to legally challenge the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. This about this ministry’s decision to cancel examinations and have them re-written next year after question papers were leaked in the Oshana region. Yesterday the ministry announced that three police cases have been opened and ten suspects subsequently arrested. Executive Director (ED) in the ministry, Sanet Steenkamp, says eight of the suspects were released on bail while two, foreigners, are still in police custody. Only visually…

03 Dec

Fourteen years for Refugee Commissioner for murder of student leader

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyRefugee Commissioner Likius Valombola

Eba Kandovazu THE Windhoek High court today sentenced former Refugee Commissioner Likius Valombola to 14 years for killing Helao Ndjaba. The 57-year-old Valombola could be released on parole after seven years. Valombola shot Ndjaba (25) in the head in Windhoek's Ombili settlement in 2018. Ndjaba, who was shot twice was comatosed before he died days later. Ndjaba served on the Executive of the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso). Valombola throughout the trial maintained his innocence. He was acquitted of discharging a firearm in public and only answered to the murder count. Today, the High Court was packed with family members…

02 Dec

Defence ministry blasted for denying Auditor General access

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMinistry of Defence and Veterans Affairs

Eba Kandovazu THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts this morning grilled Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs management i for denying the Auditor General (AG) entry into the military bases, saying that both the Minister and Executive Director do not have authority to block the AG from doing his job. The Committee, chaired by Dudu Murorua, demanded answers from the ministry’s Executive Director (ED), Wilhelmina Shivute, why the AG was not allowed access. Shivute, saying part of the AG’s request was to see equipment capability and military aircraft flying certificates, adds that the ministry realised that military information would…

02 Dec

Examinations suspended amidst question papers leakage controversy

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyEducation, Sanet Steenkamp, Sport and Culture Ministry (MESC)

Eba Kandovazu THOUSANDS of learners will have to re-write Grade 11 (new curriculum) and Grade 12 (old curriculum) examinations early next year, following the leakage of question papers and memorandums. Ten suspects have since been arrested, Education, Sport and Culture Ministry (MESC), Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp, says. According to Steenkamp, eight of the suspects were released on bail while two who are foreign nationals are still in police custody. Three criminal cases have been opened, she says. Two cases have been opened at Ongwediva police station while another one was opened at Ondangwa. Steenkamp, who has also announced that examinations…

02 Dec

Govt spends over N$200m annually on ARVs procurement

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDr Kalumbi Shangula, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Government has invested and spent a significant amounts of resources to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the country. In terms of procuring anti-retroviral medicines alone, Government spends in excess of N$200 million every year. These investments have produced the required results as witnessed in the reduction in the number of deaths in Namibia due to HIV/AIDS complications, says Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula. He spoke today at the 2021 World Aids Day Commemoration in Outjo, in the Kunene region. “It is indeed pleasing that Namibia today proudly stands as one of the…

02 Dec

LPM’s Sadé Gawanas elected City of Windhoek Mayor

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLandless People’s Movement (LPM), Mayor of the Windhoek Municipal Council, Sadé Gawanas

Eba Kandovazu LANDLESS People’s Movement (LPM) councilor Sade Gawanas was this afternoon elected the new Mayor of the Windhoek Municipal Council. Gawanas replaces Job Amupanda, Chief Activist of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement. She is deputised by Nudo’s Joseph Uapingene. AR and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) jointly declined to vote or nominate candidates. Gawanas was nominated by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillors. Gawanas, who accepted the symbolical mayoral chain, which her predecessor rejected to wear, is calling on the City’s leadership to fight against corruption, fraud, nepotism and irregularities. She reiterates the importance of service delivery. “Delivering land…

30 Nov

Nantu/Napwu and GRN negotiations stalemate

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNANTU, Petrus Nevonga

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) today announced that negotiations on civil servants salary and other benefits have reached a deadlock. No agreement has been reached due to Government’s persistent on a zero offer. Nantu’s Secretary General, Petrus Nevonga, says as a result, the two bargaining unions have declared an internal dispute in accordance with clauses 13 and 11 of Nantu and Napwu recogntioon agreements respectively with the GRN. This means that the parties shall appoint a fact finding sub-committee consisting of representative from both teams with the main negotiation team…

30 Nov

Travel ban not based on scientific evidence misguided – President Geingob

info_e12wt4csObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob

Eba Kandovazu PRESIDENT Hage Geingob says the decision to ban Namibia, without the detection of the new COVID-19 variant is misguided one. The travel ban of seven Southern African countries, including Namibia, into Europe, Namibia, because of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, has caused an uproar, with many calling it discriminatory to African countries. Despite the ban, Europe continues to report Omicron cases, with Belgium reporting its first case yesterday. Europe’s ban follows South Africa reporting last Wednesday that they have detected a new COVID-19 variant. Cases have also been reported in Botswana. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also…

30 Nov

Sinopharm’s third dose for 60-year- olds and those with comorbidity

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, MINISTRY of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director

Tujoromajo Kasuto MINISTRY of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, says the ministry has with immediate implementation introduced an additional third dose of Sinopharm vaccine for people who have already completed their vaccination schedule. This would be administered six months (168 days) after the second dose for all adult 60 years and older, those with moderately to severely compromised immune including those with active cancer, transplant recipients, those on active treatment with immune suppression and people with HIV not on treatment. Nangombe adds that all individuals 18 years and older who have completed a two-dose schedule…