National News – Page 274 – Windhoek Observer

15 Jun

City of Windhoek to disconnect accounts in arrears

ObserverNational NewsCity of Windhoek to disconnect accounts in arrears

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek announced yesterday that it will disconnect all accounts in arrears of 30 days or older if not settled or if payment arrangements are not made before 19 June 2023. This was confirmed by the City of Windhoek’s Communications Officer Lydia Amutenya, who said they will be left with no option but to disconnect such accounts. According to her, the City of Windhoek municipality has exhausted all avenues and that defaulters were notified to settle their accounts as per the Credit Control Policy. “The debts are becoming unsustainable, making it hard for us to achieve…

15 Jun

Namibia joins United Nations Water Convention

ObserverNational NewsCalle Schlettwein, Namibia joins United Nations Water Convention, water and land reform

Niël Terblanché Namibia became the first Southern African country, and the eighth country in Africa, to accede to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. As both a midstream and downstream country, transboundary water cooperation is crucial for Namibia and the region’s water security and sustainable socio-economic development because the country shares all its perennial rivers with neighbouring countries as well as several significant transboundary groundwater reserves. Namibia’s Minister for Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein said that transboundary water cooperation stands as the cornerstone of the nation’s water security. “I…

15 Jun

Namibia and Venezuela hold hands for electoral management

ObserverNational NewsElsie Nghikembua, Namibia and Venezuela hold hands for electoral management

Stefanus Nashama The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Elsie Nghikembua, on Wednesday, entered into a collaboration in electoral management with her counterpart, Pedro Pérez, the President of the National Electoral Council (NEC) of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Speaking at the occasion, Nghikembua said the agreement aims to elevate and strengthen the interests of the electoral entities toward enhancing democracy between Namibia and Venezuela. She cited Venezuela’s commitment to stronger collaboration with the ECN and its development in utilizing the knowledge, and expertise, and building stronger electoral systems and processes. “Namibia, through ECN, is committed to working…

15 Jun

Sale of live crocodiles aimed at minimizing conflict

ObserverNational NewsRomeo Muyunda, Sale of live crocodiles aimed at minimizing conflict

Niël Terblanché Constant attacks by crocodiles on people and an increase in the number of incidents of Human-Wildlife Conflict have led to a decision to sell some of the reptiles. Romeo Muyunda, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) spokesperson said that as the custodian of Government-owned wildlife, the ministry will offer 40 crocodiles for sale to the public on tender. “Over the years, Namibia has experienced a remarkable recovery of wildlife populations as a result of good conservation methods. This has placed the country as a global leader in conservation,” Muyunda said. The increase in animal numbers has…

15 Jun

N$ 50 000 fine for those denying NSA entry for census purposes

ObserverNational NewsN$ 50 000 fine for those denying NSA entry for census purposes, Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA)

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA) says anyone denying its officials entry into their premises for purposes of the planned national census will be slapped with a N$ 50 000 fine or alternatively face a five-year imprisonment sentence. This is according to NSA Deputy Statistician General Otilie Mwazi, who said that the data of the census is important to guide national planning and development. The NSA also says it will ensure that confidentiality and intelligence of the data information to be obtained in the planned 2023 population and housing census will be protected, to avoid state capture by other…

14 Jun

Shannon murder trial ends with 6-year sentence

ObserverNational NewsShannon murder trial ends with 6-year sentence

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The family of murdered Shannon Wasserfall(22) said they have been left devastated after Azaan Madisia, the initial key suspect in her death was sentenced to eight years with two years suspended on for five years on condition that she is not convicted of the same offense of defeating the course of justice. Madisia was acquitted for the murder and found guilty on charges of defeating the course of Justice and fraud. On the two charges of fraud, she was sentenced to one year each, but the sentences are to run concurrently with the defeating the course of justice…

14 Jun

Students threaten to protest…as NSFAF withholds non-tuition fees

ObserverNational NewsStudents threaten to protest…as NSFAF withholds non-tuition fees

Stefanus Nashama Students from different institutions of higher learning have expressed disappointment with the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), saying the Fund has deviated from its mandate and failed to fulfill its promises to settle the monthly payment of non-tuition fees for April and May 2023. NSFAF issued a statement last week informing students, parents and guardians that the Fund has implemented the payment of non-tuition fees of N$17 000 every month but only to students who are entitled to non-tuition fees. However, the Fund did not settle the payment of non-tuition fees as it announced. NSFAF only made…

14 Jun

Defence Ministry not ready to inform the public about recruitment

ObserverNational NewsDefence Ministry not ready to inform the public about recruitment

Stefanus Nashama Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, the Ministry of Defence Force and Veteran Affairs’ Spokesperson, yesterday told the Windhoek Observer that the ministry is yet to make an official announcement informing the public about the recruitment of new members. Shilumbu was responding to questions posed to him about a document circulating on social media titled “Namibian Defence Force Recruitment during FY 2023/2024”. “The public should remain patient about this document. The ministry is still going to officially inform the public, as to how, when, and the requirements about the recruitment,” he said. He said the document is correct and valid, and…

14 Jun

Three dormant political parties facing de-registration

ObserverNational NewsThree dormant political parties facing de-registration

Martin Endjala Three political parties that have not been participating in elections since 2014 are on the verge of de-registration and have since been summoned by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. The ECN has threatened to show the door to the three dormant political parties, the Democratic Coalition of Namibia (DCN), the Federal Convention of Namibia (FNC) and the Namibian Democratic Movement for Change (NMDC), who have been observed not to be participating in any elections since 2014. The ECN has given the parties until the end of June to pronounce their status. The ECN said it has made a…

13 Jun

High Court reserves judgment on Menzies HKIA exit

ObserverNational NewsHigh Court reserves judgment on Menzies HKIA exit, Hosea Kutako International Airport

Martin Endjala High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele will on Thursday morning deliver judgment in a matter in which Menzies Aviation wants the court to grant them permission to vacate the Hosea Kutako International Airport in 30 days, as opposed to a Supreme Court ruling that said the company should leave the premises immediately. Menzies Aviation Legal Representative Advocate Raymond Heathcote argued that if they are made to evacuate the airport with immediate effect as per the Supreme Court order, operations tomorrow at the airport are going to be “a disaster.” Menzies was given until yesterday to exit, until their recent…