Main – Page 21 – Windhoek Observer

24 Mar

Namdeb employees forced to sleep at bus stop

ObserverMain, National News

Martin Endjala Namdeb workers at Oranjemund opted to sleep at a bus stop due to exorbitant accommodation fees the company is charging them The high prices charged for accommodation left the workers with no choice but to vacate their allocated homes. Landless People’s Movement councillor, Gaume Stephanus of the Rosh Pinah constituency revealed the harsh conditions after the workers briefed him on the situation last week. Stephanus described the situation as unfair and unjust treatment towards workers at the Daberas Mine who are forced to pay high prices to use accommodation facilities. "The workers are abandoned at the bus stop…

22 Mar

USA reaffirms commitment to Namibia’s prosperity

ObserverMainUSA reaffirms commitment to Namibia's prosperity

Niël Terblanché Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, has reaffirmed the United States of America's unwavering commitment to supporting Namibia. Blinken's message of solidarity came as Namibia celebrated its 34th year of independence on March 21, highlighting a relationship built on democratic values, human rights, and good governance. The American Secretary of State’s reaffirmation aligns with the United States' broader engagement with Namibia, characterized by a shared commitment to improving the well-being of Namibian people and fostering economic growth. The US has been an essential partner in Namibia's journey since its independence in 1990, contributing significantly to sectors…

21 Mar

President Mbumba pledges prosperity for all Namibians

ObserverMainPresident Mbumba pledges prosperity for all Namibians

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba paid homage to the formidable spirit and sacrifices of the Swapo leadership and members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), attributing the nation's freedom, peace, stability, and unity to their valiant and unwavering efforts. President Mbumba, during his Independence Day address in Katima Mulilo, reflected on the significance of independence and said it is the cornerstone of dignity and humanity. He also paid homage to the efforts of heroes from the Zambezi Region and beyond in securing Namibia's liberation on March 21, 1990. The President, however, said that this year's celebrations are tinged…

20 Mar

RA reflects on its road network journey

ObserverMainRA reflects on its road network journey worth N$129 billion

Martin Endjala As Namibia celebrates its 34th Independence, the Roads Authority (RA) in keeping with its mandate of building road networks for Namibia, is celebrating a journey that started in the year 2000. The journey saw RA build a state-of-the-art national road network that is estimated to be worth N$129 billion. Namibia’s national road network has grown by approximately 15 percent or 6,220 kilometres over 23 years. Namibia’s road network currently stands at a total length of 49 202,9 kilometres, of which 8,037 kilometres is bitumen standard, 26,055 kilometres is gravel standard, 13,755 kilometres earth roads and 330 kilometres of…

19 Mar

20 cops charged for drug-related crimes, 10 for murder cases

ObserverMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A total of 20 members of the Namibian Police Force have been charged with drug-related crimes while 10 others have been charged with murder over the last three years. This is according to Namibian Police Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, who disclosed that over the past three years, 20 cases involving drug-related offences have been lodged against members of the Namibian Police Force. Three of those police officers have been found guilty by the courts and convicted, while a staggering number of 17 cases remain pending on court dockets nationwide. Shikongo emphasised the seriousness with which such…

19 Mar

MP calls for remuneration of caregivers

ObserverMainMP calls for remuneration of caregivers

Martin Endjala Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Alexia Manombe-Ncube, has called on the treasury to start considering monthly incentives for persons who take care of people living with disability. The MP said this in the National Assembly while contributing to the national budget. She pointed out a concern she observed and wants to see urgent interventions to address the issue with caregivers. She said often a parent with a child with severe disabilities, such as cerebral palsy cannot leave the child alone to go and work outside the house. “Most of these children and adults need…

18 Mar

Suspension saved Karasburg from going into the dustbin – Swapo councillors

ObserverMain

Martin Endjala One of the suspended Swapo Councillors of the Karasburg Town Council, Elia Hauwanga says the decision undertaken by the Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni, to suspend the entire council, has saved the town from going into the dustbin. Hauwanga told the Windhoek Observer yesterday that both the Swapo party and the Independent Patriot for Change (IPC) view the suspension executed by the Minister as per the Government Gazette Notice under Section 92(9) Act no 23 of 1992 of the Local Authority, as the right decision. “This has been long coming. We anticipated it to happen. Following…

18 Mar

CRAN wins Supreme Court challenge on regulatory levies

ObserverMain

Martin Endjala The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has won a constitutional challenge filed by Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) against the amendment of Section 23 of the Communications Act, in the Supreme Court concerning the collection of levies. After appealing the High Court judgment of 22 August 2022, the Supreme Court heard the appeal on the 14th of April 2023. The Supreme Court of Namibia delivered a judgment in CRAN’s favour on 13 March 2024. MTC’s application was based on the grounds that Section 23 as amended, which allows CRAN to collect regulatory levies was unconstitutional as the amended…

17 Mar

Gobabis municipality forges ahead with unauthorized salary increases amid financial struggles

ObserverMainGobabis municipality forges ahead with unauthorized salary increases amid financial struggles

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Gobabis Municipality is embroiled in a heated dispute over a proposed 4 percent salary increase for its employees, despite dire financial warnings and mounting debts. An open letter addressed to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, this week by the town’s former mayor Elvire Theron and Management Committee member Isak de Beer alleges breaches of protocol, including the unauthorised negotiation and signing of salary increase agreement with Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) by the municipality’s Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Sophia Eises. The letter highlights that the decision was made without proper authorisation, igniting a fierce…

15 Mar

Uutoni suspends entire Karasburg Town Council

ObserverMainUutoni suspends entire Karasburg Town Council

Martin Endjala Urban and Rural Development Minister, Erastus Uutoni has suspended the entire Karasburg Town Council, without remuneration or allowance, with immediate effect. The drastic action followed after the council defied the directives of the Local Authority Act as well as failing to comply with the directives of the Minister which he issued last year. The Minister’s decision is contained in the Government Gazette Notice released today, under Section 92(2) of the LA No 23 of 1992. As a result, the Minister has appointed the former Chief Executive Officer of the Aroab Village Council, Elize Laubscher as the administrator to…