National News – Page 260 – Windhoek Observer

21 Aug

Court orders SPYL to return the membership system

ObserverNational NewsCourt orders SPYL to return the membership system, N$14 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek High Court has issued an order to the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) directing them to return all hardware, software, and accessories associated with its integrated membership system. The integrated electronic system belongs to True Media Trading. The court ruling comes after SPYL failed to pay N$14 million, a breach of contract terms with True Media Trading. High Court Judge, George Coleman recently ruled that the initial agreement between True Media Trading and SPYL was void due to vagueness. “The agreement is depicted as a ‘joint venture agreement’ and reads more like a memorandum of understanding…

21 Aug

Eviction matter was referred to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police

ObserverNational NewsCommissioner Kalompo-Nashikaku, Eviction matter was referred to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Oshikoto Region

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police in the Oshikoto Region has withdrawn its intention to evict police officers who are staying with their children at the Omuthiya Police Village in anticipation of a final decision about the matter by Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo. The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Kalompo-Nashikaku, on Friday, told Windhoek Observer upon enquiry that the matter has been referred to the police headquarters for General Shikongo to analyse it and provide a possible solution. “I referred the matter to our headquarters and the affected few members did the same. The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police is busy…

21 Aug

Mother commits suicide after strangling daughter to death

ObserverNational NewsKauna Shikwambi, n Virere

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 21-year-old woman, identified as Hileni Vemujendavi Virere, has taken her own life after murdering her five-year-old daughter. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, the tragic incident happened on Saturday at Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region when Virere’s lifeless body was found hanging from the roof of her shack. Before the incident, according to Shikwambi, the deceased’s friend made several calls and grew suspicious when she didn’t get a response or pick up. She decided to walk to her house after growing concerned. She smelled a foul odour coming…

18 Aug

Preliminary investigation into deadly helicopter crash completed

ObserverNational NewsDirectorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations, Preliminary investigation into deadly helicopter crash completed

Niël Terblanché Speculation surrounding the fatal helicopter crash that led to the death of 54-year-old Jaques Jacobs and 29-year-old Dirk von Weidts last month was put to rest when the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations released a preliminary report on what the actual cause of the accident was. According to the report, the helicopter that crashed on 17 July 2023 underwent two test flights before the final test flight which ended in tragedy. During the final test flight, the pilot was supposed to check rotor balancing. The pilot was also supposed to perform auto-rotation procedures. “During the auto-rotation…

18 Aug

DRC residents get connected to electricity

ObserverNational NewsDRC residents get connected to electricity, N$26 million, Neville Andre

Niël Terblanché Residents of the DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund grabbed the opportunity to be connected to the electricity supply grid with both hands. Erongo RED and the Swakopmund municipality along with other stakeholders in the region collaborated to provide prepaid electricity supply points for nine households. The connection of more households in the informal settlement is envisaged to create a return on investment by the municipality. Over the past few years, the local authority spent in the region of N$26 million to install services on land where the informal settlement is situated. The Erongo Regional Governor, Neville Andre during…

18 Aug

Increased commitment is needed to promoteand strengthen peace and security in SADC

ObserverNational NewsIncreased commitment is needed to promoteand strengthen peace and security in SADC

Martin Endjala Despite acknowledging the progress made over the past year in silencing guns in some member states of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), President Hage Geingob has called on his counterparts to do more to realise Africa Agenda 2063 under the theme “The Africa We Want”. Geingob was speaking at the 43 SADC Ordinary Organ Troika Summit on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola as the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. He said the last meeting in July this year, was necessitated by the need for the Organ to deliberate and make decisions…

18 Aug

CoW denies awarding N$200 million tender to Pulsar Electronic Solutions

ObserverNational NewsCity of Windhoek (CoW), Pulsar Electronic Solutions

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek (CoW) has refuted allegations of awarding a tender worth N$200 million to a company called Pulsar Electronic Solution, after recent media reports that the tender was awarded under dubious circumstances. In response to media reports, the city’s communication department clarified in a statement issued yesterday, that the claims are unfounded and misleading. Explaining that Pulsar Electronic Solutions is a startup innovation company located at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Fabrication Laboratory, and the company is led by young Namibian researchers who invented and patented the GRIDx electric pre-paid smart meter, which incorporates…

18 Aug

Long-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

ObserverNational NewsLong-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Omaruru, a town crucially positioned as a transportation link between Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo, is grappling with road safety risks caused by long-distance trucks that inundate the town. Joseph Haipinge, the Head of Planning and Technical Services in the Omaruru Town Council, has highlighted the hazardous state of the town’s roads, worsened by the ongoing movements of trucks. He said the town faces an ongoing issue with a narrow bridge over the Omaruru River which connects the town to surrounding areas. He added that the restricted width of the bridge caused difficulties for heavy trucks to manoeuvre…

18 Aug

TransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

ObserverNational NewsTransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

Martin Endjala While facing cash-follow challenges, TransNamib has recently acquired six vehicles at the cost of N$2 million. In an interview with Windhoek Observer this week, TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer said the purchase was necessary to boost the company’s operational capacity which has been lagging behind for some years now. She added that the vehicles will help generate enough revenue to meet the state-owned company’s expenses. “These vehicles are a necessary cost for the company to increase operational efficiency. The remedy to Transnamib’s cash flow challenges is to generate more income. The investment in this equipment will help us do…

18 Aug

Solar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

ObserverNational NewsSolar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

Niël Terblanché The five Mega Watt solar power plant developed for Orano Mining Namibia which will supply part of the power required for the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP), reached an important milestone when groundworks at the Trekkopje site commenced recently. According to Christine De Klerk, Orano Mining’s Communication and Communities Consultant, the plant will be constructed under a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with InnoSun Energy Holdings, known as Phase 1 of the Sorexa Project. “The agreement includes the establishment of a five MW solar plant at the Trekkopje Site just northeast of Arandis, from where power will be supplied…