Main – Page 7 – Windhoek Observer

02 Sep

Opposition accuses Nandi-Ndaitwah of playing political games with sports minister

ObserverMainAgnes Tjongarero, Independence Stadium, Lifalaza Simataa, Maximalliant Katjimune

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Opposition political parties argue that Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's criticism of sport, youth, and national service minister Agnes Tjongarero, because she hasn't started renovating Independence Stadium, should not be taken seriously. Opposition parties believe that Nandi-Ndaitwah is using her words as an election gimmick to portray herself as a leader who holds others accountable, even though she is not. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Maximalliant Katjimune said the timing of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s criticism of her former fellow cabinet member is questionable. He said she has been part of the government for years and has been aware of…

01 Sep

Parties silent about election agendas

ObserverMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political parties have remained largely unresponsive to questions about their strategies for tackling national issues ahead of the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Despite inquiries sent by the Windhoek Observer between August 23 and 28 on topics such as poverty, food security, and court backlogs, the majority of parties offered little to no response. The publication also sought to understand their plans regarding renewable energy, infrastructure, basic education, and the decriminalisation of sex work but received sparse feedback. Marius !Goraseb, secretary general of the All People’s Party (APP), said the media should wait for their manifesto launch,…

29 Aug

Rural constituencies in Zambezi region struggling with water crisis

ObserverMainJudea Lyaboloma Constituency

Martin Endjala The prevalence of water challenges is increasing for rural communities in the Zambezi Region due to ageing infrastructure and depleted water supply. This is according to Judea Lyaboloma Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai, who confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Dival, most rural communities in the constituency and other parts of the Zambezi Region do not have enough water services because of limited availability and administrative problems. He said failure to maintain and repair dried-out boreholes is among the biggest challenges. “Rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes,…

28 Aug

Police officer nabbed in recruitment scam

ObserverMainKauna Shikwambi

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera A police officer has been arrested in connection with a recruitment scam and is set to appear in court on 8 October. This was confirmed by Nampol’s national spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, on Wednesday. “Thus far, only one officer was arrested. The investigation is still ongoing. His next court date is 08 October 2024. The case was postponed for further investigations,” she disclosed. The Windhoek Observer has established that the officer has been in police custody for the past three weeks in the cells of the Seeis police station. Fillipus Meleksedek exposed the issue…

27 Aug

Israel bound military cargo vessel denied docking in Walvis Bay

ObserverMainMV Kathrin

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Safety Security through the Namibian Police, revoked the permission previously granted for the vessel MV Kathrin to enter and dock at Namibia’s main harbour on 24 August.. The port of Walvis Bay scheduled the vessel, carrying cargo in transit, for docking on 25 August. Israel, which is currently involved in a conflict with Gaza, was the destination of the vessel carrying military equipment and supplies. According to a letter seen by the Windhoek Observer, Nampol’s Inspector-General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, directed Africa Global Logistic PTY Limited that the permission for the…

26 Aug

First-ever murder conviction in fatal vehicle collision sets new precedent

ObserverMainMagistrate Gaynor Paulton

Niël Terblanché Jandre Dippenaar became the first and only Namibian in history to be prosecuted and convicted of murder in the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle collision. On Friday, in the Swakopmund Regional Court, he was sentenced to spend the next 15 years in prison. Magistrate Gaynor Paulton imposed the extraordinary sentence after convicting Dippenaar on six counts of murder, one count of reckless and negligent driving, and one count of operating a vehicle without a valid driving license in the Swakopmund Regional Court in June. Paulton ordered the 15-year custodial sentence, stating that the six counts of murder…

22 Aug

Namibia honours centenary of liberation stalwart Andimba Toivo ya Toivo

ObserverMainAndimba Centenary Year

Niël Terblanché Namibia celebrated the 100th birthday of the revered liberation stalwart, Andimba Toivo yaToivo. This date also signifies the commencement of the Andimba Centenary Year, a period dedicated to honouring the life and legacy of one of Namibia’s most esteemed figures in the struggle for independence. Andimba was born on 22 August 1924, in Omangundu, northern Namibia, and passed away on 9 June 2017. He is remembered not only as a co-founder of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) but also as a symbol of resistance and integrity. To commemorate his centenary, his widow, Vicky yaToivo, and their…

21 Aug

Oil industry warned against fronting

ObserverEnergy, Main

Martin Endjala The deputy minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned players in the oil and gas industry against fronting Namibians into positions. She made these remarks during the 2024 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference that started in Windhoek on Wednesday. “Ideally, all vacant positions should be advertised in local media to ensure that Namibians, who meet minimum requirements from all corners of the country, have an equal employment opportunity,” she said. This year's conference theme is “The Next Step Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry.” Shilunga said she has learnt that some oil industry players are…

20 Aug

Paragon expands operations across Africa

ObserverMainDesmond Amunyela, Paragon Aviation Services

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Paragon Aviation Services, the company currently managing ground handling services at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, has announced its expansion into other African countries. Paragon’s executive director, Desmond Amunyela said the company currently operates duty-free stores at Victoria Falls International Airport and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Zimbabwe and Lusaka International Airport in Zambia. Zambia has invited the company to expand services to a secondary airport at Ndola in the copper belt areas. Amunyela said there are plans to expand into other countries such as Angola, South Africa, Rwanda, and South Sudan. “We are doing a few…

19 Aug

MP’s should be elected directly -Itula

ObserverMainIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president, Panduleni Itula has clarified that should IPC become the next government, they would create constituency members of Parliament who are directly elected by the people. He proposes replacing Regional Councillors with constituency members who would be directly elected by the people, enhancing accountability and aligning with the principles of representative democracy. He was clarifying what he meant in the article that was published by the Windhoek Observer on Monday titled, “Itula’s government to replace regional councillors with traditional leaders”. “At the moment Parliamentarians are accountable to a political party from whose list…