National News – Page 313 – Windhoek Observer

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…

13 Jun

ECN to deregister non-compliant political parties and organizations

ObserverNational NewsDe Wet Siluka, ECN to deregister non-compliant political parties and organizations

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced that it will deregister any political party and organization which is non-compliant with the submission of audited financial statements and the declaration of assets as stipulated in the ECN Act No. 5 of 2014. According to the ECN’s Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, De Wet Siluka, the provisions of the act were not being fully adhered to which resulted in some political parties and organizations not fully complying with the act. “Political parties and organizations are supposed to submit their statements each year but that has not been the case, the…

13 Jun

NamPower halts power disconnection to defaulting customers

ObserverNational NewsNamPower halts power disconnection to defaulting customers

Martin Endjala NamPower, Namibia’s national electricity supplier, has agreed to halt its plans to disconnect defaulting customers’ electricity supply until the end of August 2023. The power corporation announced in a statement, that the decision follows a successful consultative meeting between the Board of Directors and Management and the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise. During the meeting, the Minister reassured NamPower that the government has deployed intervention measures aimed at helping the state-owned enterprise to collect the debt owed by defaulting customers. The government programme implemented needed measures have been put in motion and will run until the end…

13 Jun

Isaacks wants to confront finance minister in Parliament

ObserverNational NewsIsaacks wants to confront finance minister in Parliament

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Member of Parliament, Edison Isaacks said he will ask the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi directly about the allegations of discrimination against certain ethnic groups during the recruitment process at Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRa). Isaaks said this after NamRa responded to the allegation he made last week in the National Assembly where he alleged the agency has deliberately excluded certain ethnic groups in its recruitment process adding that former Inland Revenue Department and Directorate of Customs and Excise employees with qualifications and vast experiences have been omitted because they speak specific…

13 Jun

Legislature not allowed to strip individuals of their dignity

ObserverNational NewsLegislature not allowed to strip individuals of their dignity

Niël Terblanché While fully acknowledging that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court of Namibia only recognizes same-sex marriages from the point of view that foreign spouses of Namibians be granted citizenship in the country, members of Parliament are campaigning zealously to change the Namibian Constitution to nullify the finding of a full bench of Supreme Court Justices. Chapter 6 of the Immigration Control Act, 7 of 1993, exempts spouses and dependents of Namibian nationals from obtaining special permits to enter and reside in Namibia. Namibia’s Prime Minister Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila as well as Member of Parliament and member of the…