Main – Page 42 – Windhoek Observer

14 Jun

Sharp hike in repo rate anticipated

ObserverMainSharp hike in repo rate anticipated, Theo Klein

Martin Endjala Experts in the economic sphere are anticipating the Bank of Namibia to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points or more for the fourth time this year because of the prevailing inflation rate. All eyes will be glued on the BoN headquarters in anticipation of when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) pronounce itself on the fate of the repo rate in Namibia later today. Simonis Storm Economist Theo Klein is of the view that a 25-basis points hike looks very likely and would be the responsible thing to do given the current financial position of the average…

13 Jun

‘Arrest homosexuals’ – Shifeta

ObserverMain‘Arrest homosexuals’ - Shifeta

Stefanus Nashama A furious Pohamba Shifeta, Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, yesterday told the Windhoek Observer that sodomy is a crime and should not be tolerated in Namibia, calling for the arrest of anyone engaging in it. “Homosexuality is sodomy, and sodomy is a crime, and like any other criminal activity, it contradicts and violates the law of this country and the African cultures,” Shifeta said. He said that the Namibian Police should not sympathize with sodomy at all and should arrest those that have admitted publicly to having engaged in such sexual activities. “The Namibian Police should…

12 Jun

Victory for Paragon and the NAC in Supreme Court ruling

ObserverMainMenzies Aviation Namibia, NAC, Victory for Paragon and the NAC in Supreme Court ruling

Niël Terblanché A bench of three Supreme Court Judges dismissed an appeal by Menzies Aviation Namibia to continue providing ground handling services for the Namibia Airports Company at the Hosea Kutako International Airport with costs. This means that Menzies will have to cease its operations and vacate the premises of the NAC at Namibia’s main airport, paving the way for Paragon Aviation Services in a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines to provide ground handling services at HKIA. In a seminal judgment handed down on Friday, the Supreme Court held that the rule of law demands that Menzies’ unlawful hold over…

09 Jun

Swapo denies ‘silencing’ members

ObserverMainHilma Nicanor, James Sankwasa, Swapo denies ‘silencing’ members

Stefanus Nashama Swapo Party National Spokesperson, Hilma Nicanor yesterday said all party members within the structures have the right to express themselves without fear or favour. This is despite party member James Sankwasa saying that those who give inputs that are not in favour of the top leadership are deemed to be against the party. Sankwasa said this will affect the Swapo Party leadership because only those who say ‘yes’ are considered and allowed to say anything in the party. Nicanor explained that the Constitution of the party pronounces itself very clearly and that it does not block any party…

08 Jun

Namibia is not for homosexuals – Ekandjo

ObserverMainJerry Ekandjo, Namibia is not for homosexuals - Ekandjo

Niël Terblanché Loide Kasingo, the Deputy Speaker of the Namibian Parliament had her hands full to keep order in the house during a notice of motion brought by Jerry Ekandjo against same-sex marriages. The veteran lawmaker and a member of the Constituent Assembly was very agitated about the fact that a notice of motion he intended to bring to the Parliament was removed from the schedule without his consent. “I had to spend several hours with various officials to get the motion back on the agenda,” he told the house. When prompted by the Deputy Speaker to proceed with his…

07 Jun

Give Ramatex to SMEs – LPM

ObserverMainGive Ramatex to SMEs - LPM, Lifalaza Smataa

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement says that the government can still create a conducive environment to fill up the gap left by the closure of the Ramatex clothing factory despite the company’s dark history of actively violating labour rights and later leaving the country without ever fulfilling its great potential. LPM National Spokesperson, Lifalaza Smataa yesterday said Ramatex could serve as an industrial space for small businesses, and serve as another manufacturing space once again that is well supervised and domestically to avoid another failure. “There are a lot of people with skills and educational backgrounds but they are…

06 Jun

Struggle Kids divided over N$13 million from OPM

ObserverMainStruggle Kids divided over N$13 million from OPM

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A group of the so-called Struggle Kids is demanding that N$13 million in an account named Children of the Liberation Struggle, resorting under the Office of Prime Minister must be pumped into different ministries to create job opportunities for them. “We gave our point of view that we want that money to be divided between different ministries so that those ministries can create employment and opportunities for the children of the liberation struggle. They can even invest in the Ministry of agriculture or just in nature conservation. There are many opportunities they can create for the children of…

05 Jun

Nedbank threatens Nafinu with defamation lawsuit

ObserverMainAsnath Zamuee, Gernot De Klerk, Nedbank threatens Nafinu with defamation lawsuit

Niël Terblanché Utterances made by the Namibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) General Secretary Asnath Zamuee compelled Nedbank Namibia to seek legal recourse, Gernot De Klerk, the bank’s Spokesperson said. According to de Klerk, the financial institution will now assert and reserve its rights in terms of the various statements made and published, which he said are intended to cause significant reputational harm and spread unfortunate, and even intentional, falsehoods. “Some of these matters are currently under legal review, and given their malicious intent and false assertion of fact, will be dealt with through legal recourse,” he said. Zamuee said in…

02 Jun

Weak promotion of local resources is a big concern

ObserverMainNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Weak promotion of local resources is a big concern

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) Commissioner Sam Shivute said for Africa to have economic sovereignty the continent needs to strengthen its domestic resource mobilization. Shivute said this earlier this week, while addressing the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) members’ signing of mutual recognition arrangement in South Africa. “If our tax administration, not only in our region but in Africa is weak we will have a failed state and we will not be in a position to enjoy peace and stability. The reason why we need to improve voluntary compliance is for us to grow our economy, to improve…

01 Jun

Politician wants Nampol shortlist recalled

ObserverMainPolitician wants Nampol shortlist recalled

Martin Endjala Joseph Isaacks, the //Karas Region Chairperson wants the recruitment shortlist of the Namibian Police to be recalled after serious complaints and concerns were brought to the attention of his office. He said failure to do so, will lead to a “very unpleasant reaction”. His call follows after 2 530 applications were submitted to the Nampol recruitment process in the region. Only 1 330 applicants met the requirements and 1 200 did not, while 185 were shortlisted of which only 50 will be slotted in from the region. A group of concerned residents launched a complaint to the office…