Main – Page 48 – Windhoek Observer

30 Dec

Governor banned from attending council meetings

MainBonifatius Wakudumo

Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo of the Kavango East region has been banned from attending regional council meetings following allegations of authoritarianism.In a letter to President Hage Geingob, the regional council outlined their decision to prohibit Governor Wakudumo from participating in council meetings until the grievances between them are resolved.The move comes in response to mounting dissatisfaction among council members and the community.One of the core grievances cited in the letter is Governor Wakudumo's alleged failure to inform council members about his regional visitation programs, causing division among the community.An anonymous source contacted the Windhoek Observer to shed light on the matter."The…

22 Dec

Namcor considers revising retail service station expansion plans

MainNamcor considers revising retail service station expansion plans

Martin Endjala The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) is contemplating a reassessment of its expansion plans for its retail service station network throughout the country. Initially, the company aimed to establish 33 service stations nationwide by 2024, but to date, only 16 have been successfully established. During a recent press conference, Namcor’s acting Managing Director, Shiwana Ndeunyema, disclosed that the company has embarked on a three-pronged strategy to address the challenges it has encountered in expanding its retail service station network. The strategy aims to identify more effective operating models to reach its expansion goals. “Whatever operating models we…

21 Dec

Alweendo calls on the G7 to review its decision on a ‘single node’ of diamond sales

Main

Stefanus Nashama Tom Alweendo, the Minister of Mines and Energy, has called upon the G7 member states to reconsider their decision regarding measures to restrict the sale of Russian diamonds. He urged them to engage with all diamond-producing countries to discuss the specifics of the proposed measures and their potential impact on economies and people’s livelihoods. “We are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of these restrictive measures, as it is our understanding that all diamonds, whether rough, cut, or polished, entering the G7 and EU will be subject to verification through a ‘single node’ in Antwerp,” the Minister said.…

20 Dec

Nampol refutes reports of spending N$2,5 million on the Inspector General’s new vehicle

Main5 million on the Inspector General’s new vehicle, Nampol refutes reports of spending N$2

Stefanus Nashama Reports claiming that the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, received a new Mercedes Benz worth over N$2.5 million have been vigorously denied and the rumours were labelled as malicious, false, and misleading. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, clarified that the actual price of the vehicle was slightly over N$1.9 million. “We would like to clarify that the vehicle in question was purchased through an approved procurement process for N$1,968,643.50,” Shikwambi stated. She stressed that the vehicle remains government property, designated for the official use of…

19 Dec

Vulnerable Namibians exploited by international smuggling syndicates

MainVulnerable Namibians exploited by international smuggling syndicates

Niël Terblanché A recent case involving the arrest of a Tanzanian national and three Namibians has shed light on a disturbing trend of international poaching syndicates exploiting local communities in Namibia for illegal harvesting of endangered plant and animal species. This illicit trade is not only threatening the nation’s unique plant species but also endangering the livelihoods of its people. Diana Mashiku (29) from Tanzania, believed to be a plant-trafficking kingpin, and her three Namibian accomplices, Veisiruaije Tjavara (25), Jennifer Simataa (37), and Tjivinda Unatavi (31), were apprehended while in possession of 46 Adenia pechuelii plants, commonly known as Elephant’s…

18 Dec

Namcor alleges blatant fraud in the acquisition of military fuel storage facility

MainNamcor alleges blatant fraud in the acquisition of military fuel storage facility

Niël Terblanché Immanuel Mulunga, the suspended Managing Director of Namcor, along with several other individuals, is facing legal action that could cost them over N$53 million in restitution to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). The state-owned entity while filing particulars of a claim at the Namibian High Court has made serious allegations of fraud during the acquisition of a military fuel storage facility in Walvis Bay. The claim asserts that Mulunga and nine other defendants are responsible for a transaction that was concluded in breach of government control structures, resulting in significant financial losses to Namcor. Namcor’s decision…

15 Dec

Namra to disburse N$66.8 million in tax refunds

MainNamra to disburse N$66.8 million in tax refunds

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is set to release tax refunds totalling N$66,805,594.15 to 63 150 individual salaried persons and pensioners. NamRa Chief Strategic Communications and Support Engagements, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, announced this yesterday and said that the agency is set to make the payments this week; however, the refunds will only be available to the taxpayers a week after. He said NamRA’s strategic approach involves meticulous risk assessment, the establishment of acceptable risk thresholds, and the implementation of an automated refund process. This has resulted in the processing of 91,092 returns, contributing to the clearance of refunds dating back…

14 Dec

Nuclear energy is integral to GRN’s long-term plans

MainNuclear energy is integral to GRN’s long-term plans

Martin Endjala Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo has affirmed that nuclear energy remains a crucial component of the government’s long-term plans, as articulated in its National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) issued earlier this year. He made this statement during a Cabinet Committee Briefing held in Windhoek. Alweendo pointed out that the NIRP has detailed how the government intends to manage the supply of electricity within the country. While nuclear energy may not be an immediate priority, it is considered as part of the long-term strategy. However, Alweendo emphasized that the feasibility of nuclear energy depends on various factors, including…

13 Dec

Swartbooi calls for the removal of Namdeb’s board of directors

MainSwartbooi calls for the removal of Namdeb’s board of directors

Stefanus Nashama Bernadus Swartbooi, leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), has expressed his discomfort with the management of Namdeb and called for the removal of the board of directors due to their alleged ignorance and inability to address issues related to unfair labour practices. Swartbooi made these remarks during a media conference held to provide the outcomes of the policy conference that his party conducted in Windhoek last week. According to Swartbooi, Namdeb, along with its highly compensated board of directors, is a failing entity. This call comes after the LPM received a letter from Namdeb’s legal representative, accusing…

12 Dec

Unregistered SIM cards to be suspended for three months

MainUnregistered SIM cards to be suspended for three months

Martin Endjala The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has warned citizens whose SIM cards are not registered by 31 December 2023, that their cards will be suspended for three months. According to CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, the SIM card registration conditions mandate users to register their SIM cards with their mobile service provider. Nghikembua stated that after 31 December 2023, unregistered SIM cards will be suspended for three months, and if a customer attempts to use the service during the suspension period, they only receive a warning message. “During the three-month suspension period, the service may be…