Main – Page 29 – Windhoek Observer

26 Jan

Historic ICJ ruling reins Israel in

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché Friday 26 January 2024 will henceforth be remembered as a pivotal moment in international law as the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its interim ruling on emergency measures against Israel, following South Africa’s accusations of state-led genocide in the Gaza conflict. At around 14:00 today, a panel of 17 judges of the International Court of Justice in The Hague found that ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza pose a plausible risk of irreparable harm. In lieu of a final judgement, the panel of judges handed down interim measures to mitigate the severe humanitarian crisis…

24 Jan

President Geingob accepts offer for cancer treatment in the USA

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Niël Terblanché The Office of the President has announced that President Hage Geingob has traveled to the United States of America to undergo a groundbreaking new cancer therapy. According to the Press Secretary of the Presidency, Alfredo Hengari, President Geingob has accepted a medical offer from leading scientists and medical professionals in Los Angeles, California, to undergo this specialized cancer therapy. In a statement issued late on Wednesday afternoon, Hengari assured the public that the travel, medical, and accommodation expenses of the President would not be covered by the Namibian Government. He stressed that 95 percent of the President's cancer…

24 Jan

Rundu Intermediate Hospital under investigation over mismanagement of public funds

ObserverMainRundu Intermediate Hospital under investigation over mismanagement of public funds

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Service is investigating the management of Rundu Intermediate Hospital after accusations of financial irregularities involving state vehicles, with amounts of money allegedly directed towards repairs that were never executed surfaced recently. According to an anonymous source, three government vehicles - Toyota Hilux with registration number GRN 27602, Toyota Quantum (Ambulance) GRN 27756, and Ford Ranger GRN 27863 - were dispatched to Okondjatu garage in February 2022 for engine-related repairs. Payments totalling N$203,106.05 were disbursed to the garage, yet the purported services were never carried out on the vehicles. “Toyota Hilux was taken…

23 Jan

Malaria cases on the increase in northern Namibia

ObserverMainMalaria cases on the increase in northern Namibia

Niël Terblanché A shortage of materials and equipment for testing malaria infections in northern Namibia has raised concerns about the rapid spread of the disease. Recent rains have led to stormwater pooling in low-lying areas, creating new breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Since the beginning of the year, the Ohangwena Region alone has recorded 392 malaria cases. Health authorities in the region confirmed a shortage of testing equipment and materials, struggling with resupply from central medical stores for the past two months. Currently, medical facility staff are forced to rely on microscopes in laboratories to detect parasites in the blood of…

22 Jan

Nghipondoka warns against the use of so-called performance-enhancing drugs

ObserverMainNghipondoka warns against the use of so-called performance-enhancing drugs

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, recently addressed concerns during a radio interview about the use of drugs by some learners in an attempt to improve their performance in national examinations. Nghipondoka expressed her concern, revealing that her office had received reports of learners resorting to drug use with the belief that it would enhance their thinking abilities during exams. “My office has received reports of some learners taking drugs before exams, thinking it would help them think better and score more points, which can actually worsen the situation,” she said. Highlighting the issue further,…

19 Jan

Eight more suspects linked to the fugitive Rebebe arrested

ObserverMainEight more suspects linked to the fugitive Rebebe arrested

Niël Terblanché Eight more suspects linked to the multimillion-dollar theft by the 30-year-old Nico Hijendepi Rebebe an employee of Bank Windhoek at its Opuwo branch were arrested in Rundu during an intelligence-led operation executed by the Namibian Police. Rebebe attempted to steal N$200 million from his employers through a series of illicit money transfers. The arrest of six suspects were made on Wednesday after one of the suspects attempted to withdraw huge sums of money over the counter at the Rundu branch of Bank Windhoek. Two more arrested on Thursday after another attempted to withdraw a large sum of money…

18 Jan

Rapid urbanization leaves learners looking for space in schools

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Niël Terblanché As the new academic year got out of the starting blocks, many parents in the Khomas and Erongo regions of Namibia anxiously await news about whether their children will secure places in schools. A massive undertaking is currently in progress to create new classrooms and schools to accommodate the growing number of students in these regions. Sanet Steenkamp, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, points to rapid urbanization as a primary cause of this predicament and the challenges posed by school choice. “In many cases, rural schools have plenty of space, while urbanized…

17 Jan

PDM appeals to MAWLR to utilize in-house expertise for Phase II of the Neckartal Dam Project

ObserverMainPDM appeals to MAWLR to utilize in-house expertise for Phase II of the Neckartal Dam Project

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani has expressed concerns regarding the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform’s decision to enlist external consultants for the feasibility study of the second phase of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Project. Venaani questioned the prudence of allocating extensive resources to external expertise when capable in-house staff could effectively handle the task. “The potential extensive resources to be allocated towards the recruitment of external consultants are arguably reflective of a gross misallocation when these funds could be significantly reduced or even eradicated,” he said. While acknowledging the objective of enhancing agricultural efficiency…

16 Jan

Crops at risk as Hardap Dam nears critically low levels

ObserverMainCrops at risk as Hardap Dam nears critically low levels, Dawie De Klerk

Niël Terblanché Farmers on the Hardap Irrigation Scheme are growing increasingly anxious as the critically low levels of the Hardap Dam continue to be exacerbated by a prolonged period of inadequate rainfall. The looming threat of crop failures looms large, and farmers are sounding the alarm about the dire consequences this may have on both agriculture and the surrounding communities. Dawie De Klerk, Chairperson of the Hardap Farmers Association, paints a grim picture of the situation, noting that the water level in the Hardap Dam has already plummeted to 18.1 percent. This alarming drop in reservoir capacity threatens to disrupt…

15 Jan

Namibia rejects Germany’s defence of Israeli atrocities in Gaza

ObserverMainNamibia rejects Germany’s defence of Israeli atrocities in Gaza

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia has taken a firm stance against Germany’s recent support of what it calls the “genocidal intent” of the Israeli state against civilians in Gaza. The rejection comes as a response to Germany’s decision to defend Israel’s actions before the International Court of Justice, despite widespread international concern and condemnation. President Hage Geingob expressed deep concern over Germany’s position. The President drew attention to Germany’s historical connection with Namibia, where the first genocide of the 20th century occurred between 1904-1908. The German government, according to President Geingob, has yet to fully atone for the atrocities committed on Namibian…