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Ester Mbathera Employees of Beifang Mining Services have accused their employer of not adhering to labour laws and subjecting them to bad working conditions. Employees spoke to the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation "Things at Beifang are worse, victimisation, tribalism, racism, favouritism, discrimination, unfair dismissal, and underpayment are the order of the day. We are forced to work on weekends continuously with no overtime unless on a public holiday," said one employee. The employee added that the safety of the workers is their biggest concern. The employee claims that those who speak up face suspension.…

Ester Mbathera As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, Namibia’s online newspaper Windhoek Observer and community radio station Shipi FM signed a collaboration agreement. The agreement signed by Paragon Media’s co-founder, Lazarus Jacobs and Shipi FPM executive chairperson Martin Shipanga focuses on gathering and sharing news. The two organisations also agreed on sharing human resources and infrastructure, as well as human capital and training. Jacobs explained that the sharing of resources in a small country such as Namibia is the way to go. He cautioned Namibians to guard against allowing nonNamibians to control the narrative and news cycle. “We…

Ester Mbathera Meatco has reported an operational loss of N$258.1 million in its group performance for the year-to-date period that started in January 2024. This loss, excluding a government grant, amounted to a budgeted loss of N$61.5 million. The company's bottom line reflects a reduced loss, primarily due to accounting for a state grant of N$135 million received in April, June, and July of 2023. Meatco during the period under review (2022-2023) slaughtered more than 60 820 cattle including animals behind the red line, compared to a budget of 50 000. According to the group report, the revenue generation fell…

Niël Terblanché On Workers' Day, President Nangolo Mbumba and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila honoured Namibian workers, celebrating their indispensable role in nation-building and the pursuit of socio-economic growth. In his message to the nation, President Mbumba stressed the critical role workers play in driving Namibia's development trajectory towards a prosperous future. This year’s commemoration was presented under the theme "Namibian Workers United for Economic Growth and Development and the President added that it has a significant role to play in the Year of Expectations. President Mbumba acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of workers. "Without workers, there can be no construction,…

Ester Mbathera The businessman Daniel Kamunoko, who is suing Standard Bank Namibia for about N$184 billion has been driving two vehicles that were reported stolen by the bank in 2009. The vehicles involved are an AMG C55 and a CLK cabriolet Mercedes Benz which are still in Kamunoko’s possession. In court documents, Kamunoko claims that he wanted to sell the AMG but the vehicle failed to get police clearance. “It was when I discovered that both vehicles were reported stolen on 16 April 2009. In other words, I have been driving these Benzes for ten years, stolen by myself as…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe and Ester Mbathera Namibia’s Ombudsman, Basilius Dyakugha has ordered the Namibia Correctional Services (NCS) to put plans to transfer some of the Fishrot accused to other holding cells on hold. This is while his office is conducting investigations into allegations of unfair treatment of the accused persons by senior officials of the NCS. Dyakugha made the request in a letter which has been seen by this publication to NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela on Monday. “I humbly request the Commissioner-General to put the transfer on hold and do a proper investigation as well as apply the audi alteram partem…

Ester Mbathera Three of the accused persons in the Fishrot corruption scandal have written to President Nangolo Mbumba expressing concerns about the constitutionality of the appointment and any potential extension of Moses Chinhengo’s tenure as Acting Judge of the High Court. In the letter, dated 21 February and seen by the Windhoek Observer, Murorua Kurtz Kasper Incorporated, the legal representatives of Sacky Shanghala, businessman James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo argued that Chinhengo is not a Namibian citizen and at the time of his appointment by late President Hage Geingob, he was not serving as a Judge in Namibia. They further…