Main – Page 33 – Windhoek Observer

20 Oct

Frustrated Arandis residents threaten to seize land

ObserverMainFrustrated Arandis residents threaten to seize land

Stefanus Nashama Frustrated landless residents in Arandis have issued a threat to take matters into their own hands by occupying unserviced land illegally. They claim that the Arandis Town Council has repeatedly ignored their requests for land, leaving them with no choice but to pursue this course of action. The group, calling themselves the “Arandis Concerned Group,” expressed their disappointment with the Town Council, citing unresolved issues that have plagued them for years. These residents have grown weary of spending their hard-earned money on rent while struggling to provide for their families. Group spokesperson Helena Orus voiced their frustrations, stating,…

19 Oct

Over 230 unclaimed bodies inmortuary, some dating back nine years… lack of funds, procedures, and legal concerns plague efforts to address dilemma

ObserverMainOver 230 unclaimed bodies inmortuary, procedures, some dating back nine years… lack of funds

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek State Mortuary is grappling with a profound issue involving an alarming number of unclaimed bodies, tallying over 230 with some dating back as far as 2014.This situation was conveyed by Chief Inspector Oscar Shatipamba, head of forensic pathology at the police mortuary, and Chief Mortuary Assistant Leonard Dausab while briefing the Parliament Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development, and Family Affairs during their visit to the mortuary to assess its condition this week.Shatipamba revealed that the police mortuary’s body chambers are currently holding 36 adult unclaimed bodies and 20 fetuses, primarily stemming from cases of…

18 Oct

Overcrowding blamed for pre-mature babies’ deaths at Central hospital

ObserverMainDoctors and nurses at the Windhoek Central Hospital said some newborn babies, especially premature ones fall sick within the first two days due to infections which are caused by the overcrowding situation at the state hospital.

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Doctors and nurses at the Windhoek Central Hospital said some newborn babies, especially premature ones fall sick within the first two days due to infections which are caused by the overcrowding situation at the state hospital. The hospital’s Neonatal ward is designed to accommodate 30 babies at a time but sometimes it accommodates 64 babies at once, a situation that makes it hard to control the spread of infections. The doctors said while briefing the Parliament Standing Committee on Gender Equality Social Development and Family Affairs when they visited the hospital this week to assess the status of…

16 Oct

Former PLAN Combatants Association condemns Gaza conflict

ObserverMainDr Charles Mubita, Former PLAN Combatants Association condemns Gaza conflict

Stefanus Nashama Dr Charles Mubita, former Secretary for Information and Mobilization of the Former PLAN Combatants Association (FPCA) condemned Israel’s blockade of essential services to Gaza and the ongoing violence in Palestinian-occupied territories. Mubita last week, asserted that Israel’s indiscriminate bombings and blockades, denying access to basic services, violate the principles of the law of armed conflict, international law, and human rights. “The FPCA calls upon the global community, all peace-loving individuals, to exert pressure on the Zionist Israeli regime and its imperialist supporters to lift the blockade on essential services to the Palestinian people,” stated Mubita. The FPCA also…

13 Oct

Fly Etosha is coming and there is no way of stopping it: Ekandjo…new airline to start operating next month

ObserverMainCaptain William Ekandjo, Fly Etosha is coming and there is no way of stopping it: Ekandjo…new airline to start operating next month

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Fly Etosha accounts manager Captain William Ekandjo, is upbeat that Fly Etosha Airways will take to the sky in mid-November this year to revolutionise the aviation business and nobody can stop it. During an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday, Ekandjo said Fly Etosha could have been flying already was it not for the sabotage and organised interference the airline suffered. Earlier this year, Fly Namibia Aviation objected to the granting of air transport service licence of Fly Etosha Airways, however, the objection was later withdrawn after public criticism of Fly Namibia. Ekandjo told this publication yesterday that…

12 Oct

Government allocates millions to subsidise shelters

ObserverMainGovernment allocates millions to subsidise shelters

Martin Endjala Doreen Sioka, the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, announced that the ministry has allocated N$2 million annually to subsidise 18 residential child-care shelters and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) facilities across eight regions. She emphasized that the ministry, by court orders, places children requiring care and protection in these essential facilities. Such facilities play an indispensable role in safeguarding the well-being of the country’s most vulnerable children. Addressing the parliament on Tuesday, regarding the operations of government-owned GBV shelters, Sioka responded to recent reports about staffing shortages in these facilities. She acknowledged the gravity of GBV…

11 Oct

Four Namibians might be trapped in Gaza conflict

ObserverMainFour Namibians might be traped in Gaza conflict

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Four Namibian citizens might be caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Executive Director Penda Naanda, stated that the ministry received an anonymous email suggesting that two adults and two children are currently in Tel Aviv a city in Israel. Naanda noted that they were in the process of confirming the accuracy of this information. “We were recently informed about two adults and two children who travelled to Tel Aviv for a medical operation. The email states that…

10 Oct

Illegally employed CRO arrested on charges of corruption

ObserverMainIllegally employed CRO arrested on charges of corruption

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Zambezi Chief Regional Officer, Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, along with three other individuals, have been arrested for alleged corrupt practices and misuse of their positions, violating Section 43 of the Anti-Corruption Act. Auditor General Junias Kandjeke reported in 2020 that Ndopu-Lubinda’s employment was illegal as the extension of her contract was not approved by the Public Service Commission. The arrest was part of a joint operation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Namibian Police in Katima Mulilo yesterday. The individuals arrested alongside her are Beaven Walubita, the Regional Director of Planning and Rural Development, as well as Cletius…

09 Oct

Cyber fraud syndicate busted in Auasblick

ObserverMainCyber fraud syndicate busted in Auasblick, f 11 Chinese, five Zimbabweans, one Singaporean, two Namibians

Niël Terblanché In a significant blow to cybercriminal activities, the Namibian Police apprehended 20 individuals, primarily foreign nationals, on a slew of charges that encompass human trafficking, cyber fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. The mass arrest follows a raid on a house in the affluent Windhoek neighbourhood of Auasblick. The individuals in custody consist of 11 Chinese, five Zimbabweans, two Namibians, one Singaporean, and one Cuban. Major General Elias Mutota, the Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, during a special briefing on Friday, elaborated on the details of this intricate operation. It has been discovered that this syndicate…

06 Oct

Education Ministry to regulate entry requirements for teaching profession

ObserverMainEducation Ministry to regulate entry requirements for teaching profession

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture is drafting an Act of Parliament intended to elevate the status of teaching in Namibia. This Act will set the professional prerequisites for entry into the teaching profession and outline the standards to which all teachers must adhere. During the World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Outapi, themed “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage,” Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka announced this initiative. She also shed more light on the numerous challenges confronting the teaching sector while stressing the need for decisive action.…