National News – Page 237

01 May

MUN president digs in heels

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera Ismael Kasuto, the president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), and his deputy Densley Somseb are refusing to vacate their respective positions in the union. On Monday, the two of them, along with two other leaders, Abraham Baisako and Delila Tsibes, issued a statement, in which they claim that they received information that the group that removed them, is trying to take over the union. They claim that the group wants to block them from carrying out a forensic audit of the union’s finances. They stated that the decision to release the financial report was one of…

01 May

Workers don’t understand nor appreciate labour union memberships – Nujoma

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Utoni Nujoma believes that many workers in Namibia today don’t understand or appreciate adequately how trade union membership can benefit them. According to him, those who are not members have negative attitudes toward trade unions. The minister spoke on Wednesday, at the Workers' Day celebrations in Rundu in the Kavango East region. ‘’We must work hard to demonstrate the positive value of trade union membership. I also encourage you to consider multi-media strategies to publicise workers' gains through your affiliate unions and keep trade union activities and views in the…

30 Apr

Redforce tender allocation under investigation

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRedForce Debt Management CC's

Ester Mbathera The Municipality of Walvis has launched an investigation into RedForce Debt Management CC's tender allocation process. This move comes after the council's decision to terminate the debt collector's services due to allegations of impropriety in the procurement process. Richard Metcalfe, the municipality's lawyer, said in a media statement on Tuesday that investigations will examine the procurement process as well as the customs documentation, contracts, and schedules of the agreement. "We will institute the necessary civil and criminal proceedings in the event of any impropriety," he said. The municipal council unanimously decided last week to terminate the services of…

30 Apr

SAN cautions against wage increments

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCorinus Kotzé

Martin Endjala The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) vice president, Corinus Kotzé, has cautioned against increasing the salaries of its employees without considering the market the sector operates within. His caution comes after some security guards belonging to the association and non-members demanded an increment, stating that market prices dictate the increment percentages. Kotzé said this during a minimum wage consultation for the security sector on Tuesday in Windhoek. “We could find ourselves in a situation where we have to let go of employees. Which we want to avoid at all costs, but we need to find a solution to…

30 Apr

NEFF condemns exclusion of small traders at Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

info_e12wt4csNational News(NEFF), Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has denounced the exclusion of Namibian traders from participating in the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, slated for 29 April to 5 May at the Lüderitz Waterfront. In a statement issued on Tuesday, NEFF condemned the actions of festival organisers, particularly Victoria de Klerk, labelling them as deplorable and a violation of the rights of local entrepreneurs. According to the NEFF, four traders, Ronald Engelbrecht, Hendrina Willem, Magdalena Mckay, Maria Gumbo, and Sodom Andreas - have been unfairly denied space at the festival. NEFF deputy commander in chief, Kalimbo Iipumbu said these traders, who…

30 Apr

Research and development to propel sustainable economic development

info_e12wt4csNational NewsItah Kandjii-Murangi

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation launched the much-anticipated Research and Experimental Development Survey Report for the fiscal year 2021/22 in Windhoek earlier this week. Dr Lisho Mundia, the ministry’s acting deputy executive director and director of research, innovation and training, on behalf of Minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the report has created a roadmap for the development of a knowledge-based economy. Mundia said the information in the report will be used to leverage science, technology, and innovation for sustainable and inclusive growth. She pointed to the progress made with research and development since the first National…

30 Apr

Arrest in Windhoek ends hunt for Maasdorp murder suspect

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWentzel Maasdorp

Niël Terblanché The countrywide manhunt for Wentzel Maasdorp ended in the central business district of Windhoek on Tuesday afternoon when members of the Namibian Police arrested him. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the police’s public relations division, the suspect was apprehended in the area of the capital colloquially known as Triple J while he was trying to get a lift to Rehoboth. Earlier on Tuesday the Namibian Police in the Kavango East Region reported that the light metallic blue 3 Series BMW was found parked near a filling station in Rundu. Maasdorp was last seen on…

30 Apr

Namibia to champion press freedom at global conference in Chile

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEmma Theofelus

Niël Terblanché Namibia's recognition as the African leader in press freedom has placed it at the forefront of the global dialogue on media independence and environmental journalism. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, is set to lead a delegation to the 31st World Press Freedom Day global conference in Santiago, Chile from 2 -4 May. This was confirmed by MICT acting executive director Frans Nghitila on Tuesday in a media statement. “With a theme focused on the critical role of journalism in addressing the environmental crisis, the conference will explore how freedom of expression can contribute to…

30 Apr

NEKA refutes division and alleged unlawful congress

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA)

Martin Endjala The Namibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA), has refuted allegations that it held a non-constitutional congress and that there was tension between some of the delegates. The association’s secretary general, Elizabeth Shimwafeni, in a media statement issued on Monday, refuted this after the association’s congress last month. Shimwafeni also dismissed allegations of division within the association. “If anything, NEKA protected the democratic principles on which this country was established. As heirs to the Namibian revolution, this was a test on how ready we are to protect and guide the same democracy for which so many perished and crossed rivers…

30 Apr

GRN accused of not doing enough to combat GBV

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBrian Black

Hertta-Maria Amutenja and Niël Terblanché Windhoek East constituency councillor, Brian Black says the government is not doing enough to curb gender-based violence (GBV). Black made the comments following the murder of 40-year-old Delia Angelique Maasdorp, the former wife of Advocate Ramon Maasdorp. Namibia has in recent weeks experienced an increasing number of cases of women being killed by their partners. According to the police report, the body of the victim was discovered in her flat in the Eucalyptus complex in Eros on Sunday afternoon after a friend assisted by the police and a representative of the body corporate gained entry…