National News

Namibian woman stabbed to death in England

Namibian woman stabbed to death in England

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 22-year-old Namibian woman named Claudia Kambanza died in the city of Hull in England, United Kingdom after sustaining fatal stab wounds. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 26 January 2024, has led to a murder investigation, with a 28-year-old Namibian man, Mateus Johannes, now in custody and facing charges of murder. According to Humberside Police, officers were called to Hinderwell Street around 03h00 after reports emerged that a woman had been stabbed. Despite efforts by medical professionals, Kambanza succumbed to her injuries shortly after being taken to the hospital. The police have revealed that…
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Patient overflow causes renovation roadblock

Patient overflow causes renovation roadblock

Niël Terblanché Ester Kaapanda, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Works and Transport, in a striking revelation announced that the much-needed renovation of the Katutura Intermediate Hospital has hit a significant hurdle. Despite a generous allocation of N$40 million for the current financial year, efforts to refurbish the ageing hospital are being hindered by the ongoing challenge of accommodating its many patients. The Ministry of Works and Transport, tasked with the renovation of government buildings and immovable assets, has expressed gratitude towards the taxpayers for their contributions. “We have appointed several Namibian contractors, who are actively working on renovating…
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Namibia on high alert as cholera crisis escalates in southern Africa

Namibia on high alert as cholera crisis escalates in southern Africa

Niël Terbalnché Namibia is ramping up its disease surveillance and implementing precautionary measures in response to the escalating cholera outbreak in neighbouring countries. The situation is particularly severe in Zambia, where over 9,500 people have been affected since the first case was reported in October 2023. The outbreak has spread to nine of Zambia’s ten provinces, with a high case fatality rate of 3.9 percent. Lusaka, the country’s capital, bears the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for over 90 percent of the reported cases. Alarmingly, about 52 percent of all cases in Zambia involve children under the age of 15.…
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Attackers of 15-year-old victim granted N$300 bail each

Attackers of 15-year-old victim granted N$300 bail each

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Seven suspects who stand accused of assaulting a 15-year-old girl at Olukonda village, in the Oshikoto Region recently, have been granted bail of N$300 each. The incident unfolded on Saturday, 13 January this year, when the suspects allegedly tied the victim to a tree and subjected her to a brutal assault with a fan belt, accusing her of stealing N$200 from a house. “The incident was reported on 23 January 2024 when the victim started school after the holidays. For safety reasons, the victim has been placed at Onandjokwe State Hospital by a social worker,” said the Namibian…
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Community service launched to aid justice reform program

Community service launched to aid justice reform program

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Commissioner-General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela recently oversaw the launch of the Community Service Orders (CSO) program at the Karasburg Magistrates’ Court and Ariamsvlei Periodical Court. This initiative marks a significant step in justice reform. A review of data from the 2020/2021 to 2022/2023 financial years revealed that 62 offenders breached their release conditions over the past three years. Of these, 33 individuals (53 percent) committed new offences, leading to 31 rearrests, while tewo remain at large. The remaining 29 individuals (47%) violated their conditions due to repeated absenteeism, resulting in 20 rearrests and 9 still at large. Hamunyela emphasized…
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IPC prepares for national GMC launch

IPC prepares for national GMC launch

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) is gearing up to launch its national Ground Mobilization Commandos (GMCs) on February 3, 2024. The event is set to take place at the Okapale Soccer field in the Goreangab Dam informal settlement, with the assembly point at the Old Compound-Youth Complex Entrance. The IPC’s GMCs have been actively engaging with communities, understanding their concerns, and disseminating the party’s vision. The upcoming national launch aims to showcase the commitment of these mobilizers and play a crucial role in creating a more informed electorate. The event is expected to attract members, sympathizers, and…
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Bank of Namibia awards bursaries to outstanding students

Bank of Namibia awards bursaries to outstanding students

Martin Endjala Last week, the Bank of Namibia (BoN) awarded bursaries to 12 academically outstanding students from the 2023 academic year. These bursaries will support the recipients in pursuing tertiary education in various fields at institutions within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The awarded fields of study include Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Computer and Data Science, Economics, Cyber Security, and Industrial Engineering, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This initiative by BoN is part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aiming to address the evolving demands of the global workforce and skill sets. BoN has…
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Vulnerable nomadic communities difficult to assist amidst drought crisis

Vulnerable nomadic communities difficult to assist amidst drought crisis

Niël Terblanché Marginalized communities in Namibia, particularly nomadic groups, are facing severe difficulties in receiving essential food aid. Rebekka Namwandi, the Deputy Director of marginalized communities in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, reiterated the challenges in distributing food parcels to these communities. She added that the nomadic lifestyle of some communities has hindered the effective allocation and delivery of food assistance. In light of these challenges, Namwandi stressed the importance of utilizing various communication channels, including radio broadcasts, to inform these communities about the availability of food parcels. However, she also acknowledged the limitations of…
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Meat Board of Namibia is undergoing a vital name change

Meat Board of Namibia is undergoing a vital name change

Niël Terblanché The Meat Board of Namibia is undergoing a significant transformation, including a change of name, to broaden its scope and responsibilities. The organization, historically focused on meat and related products, is expanding to include poultry and dairy, necessitating a new identity. The revised name, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB), or more concisely, Livestock Products Namibia (LPN), reflects this wider mandate. This change is not just in name but also in function. Livestock Products Namibia will henceforth oversee a more diverse range of animal products, including dairy, hides, and various livestock such as sheep, goats,…
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Green hydrogen projects must be managed by comprehensive new law

Green hydrogen projects must be managed by comprehensive new law

Martin Endjala The Namibian Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, announced plans for a new comprehensive regulatory framework to manage the burgeoning green hydrogen sector in Namibia. Speaking in Windhoek at Droombos during the conclusion of the European Union Twinning Project, the Minister emphasized the importance of the Synthetic Fuels Act in creating an enabling legislative environment for hydrogen projects. This act aims to ensure compliance with international standards in green fuel certification, health, safety, and environmental protection. This announcement follows a successful meeting between Namibian and German officials, where they agreed to work on an Institutional Partnership on…
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