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30 Oct

“Mid-term budget is used for Swapo election campaign”

info_e12wt4csMainMid-term budget is used for Swapo election campaign

Martin Endjala Former Member of Parliament and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) President, Mike Kavekotora, has raised concerns that the mid-term budget, expected to be presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi next week, is being used as a political tool by the Swapo party for the upcoming elections. Kavekotora voiced his opinions during an interview with the Windhoek Observer in response to Minister Shiimi’s announcement in Parliament this week regarding the mid-term budget presentation. However, Kavekotora expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement, describing it as “lip service.” He argued that instead of focusing on the pressing needs of…

27 Oct

Govt questioned over Cabinet decision to spend N$25m on new vehicles

info_e12wt4csMainGovt questioned over Cabinet decision to spend N$25m on new vehicles

Stefanus Nashama Lawmakers from various opposition parties in Parliament have raised concerns about the Cabinet’s decision to authorize the Ministry of Works and Transport to purchase 32 government vehicles at a cost of N$25 million for the 2023/24 financial year. This decision contradicts a moratorium put in place by the Head of State, President Hage Geingob, in 2020 to reduce unnecessary spending on government vehicles. Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Epafras Mukwiilongo submitted a notice of questions to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, this week, indicating his intention to question the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises,…

26 Oct

Medical Stores seeks N$25 million to address medicine shortages

info_e12wt4csMainMedical Stores seeks N$25 million to address medicine shortages

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Central Medical Store under the Ministry of Health and Social Services has appealed for an increased budget of N$25 million for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a bid to address crucial medication shortages and enhance service delivery. This request comes after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs visited the facility to assess the situation. During the visit, officials highlighted a pressing issue affecting the availability of essential medications, particularly hypertensives, and diabetes drugs. The Medical Store representative emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying, “We are missing about ten crucial medications,…

25 Oct

Menzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

info_e12wt4csMainMenzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia has officially announced its intention to seek permission to appeal a recent High Court judgment delivered at the beginning of October this year. On October 3, 2023, Justice Shafimana Ueitele of the Namibian High Court handed down a judgment and order of costs that dismissed Menzies Aviation’s Rule 121 application. In response, Menzies Aviation has filed an application for leave to appeal the entire judgment and the associated costs. Menzies Aviation’s application for leave to appeal is grounded in several key arguments. The company alleges that Justice Ueitele erred in both law and fact to…

24 Oct

Diamond Commissioner role not clearly defined in Diamond Board Act: Kandjeke

info_e12wt4csMainDiamond Commissioner role not clearly defined in Diamond Board Act: Kandjeke

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Auditor General (AG) Junias Kandjeke, has raised various concerns about the Diamond Board of Namibia’s operations, with one of them being the failure to clearly define the role of the Diamond Commissioner in the Diamond Board Act. The Board audited financial report for 2022, which Kandjeke submitted to the National Assembly recently for scrutiny, highlighted that the board is currently operating as a division within the Ministry of Mines and Energy. However, as per Section 21 of the Companies Act, 2004 (Act No. 28 of 2004), it is supposed to operate as an autonomous entity, while the Commissioner…

23 Oct

Over 70 premature babies died in nine months at Central Hospital

info_e12wt4csMainOver 70 premature babies died in nine months at Central Hospital

Hertta -Maria Amutenja Between January and September 2023, a total of 620 premature babies were admitted to the Windhoek Central Hospital Neonatal Unit, including referrals from various regions across Namibia. During the same period, 76 premature babies sadly lost their lives. According to Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, these losses can be attributed to a range of factors, primarily stemming from the prematurity of these infants. He explained that due to their prematurity, these babies are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are not well-developed enough to fight off infections.…

20 Oct

Frustrated Arandis residents threaten to seize land

info_e12wt4csMainFrustrated 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

info_e12wt4csMainOver 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

info_e12wt4csMainDoctors 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

info_e12wt4csMainDr 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…