National News – Page 321 – Windhoek Observer

30 May

Three commit suicide over the weekend

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police reported that three people committed suicide by hanging themselves over the past weekend. According to the weekend crime report, on Friday at about 07h40, the body of Immanuel Sheehama Matias, aged 33 was found at Okathitu kaNangombe village, Ogongo Constituency, in Omusati Region. It is alleged that the deceased committed suicide by hanging himself with a wire from a mopane tree branch. His body was found in a decomposed state, Nampol Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said. Matias was last seen when he left the house, four days before the discovery of his body. His…

29 May

Govt consulting on the way forward for same – sex marriages

ObserverNational NewsGovt consulting on the way forward for same - sex marriages

Niël Terblanché The Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka yesterday revealed that because of magnitude of the Supreme Court ruling which compels the government to recognize same-sex marriages concluded outside the borders of Namibia, the government is in the process of conducting a legal assessment of the ruling, before determining the appropriate course of action within the available constitutional parameters. Mbandeka however says the democratic system in Namibia guarantees freedom of speech and expression in terms of Article 21(1) of the Namibian Constitution. In a statement, Mbandeka stressed that exercising these rights, especially with regard to the subject matter of the recent…

29 May

Measures introduced after Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak

ObserverNational NewsMeasures introduced after Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture has, with immediate effect implemented preventative measures to curb the spread of the dreaded Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, following the recent death of a man who was infected. The deceased was first treated at a clinic in Gobabis on May 16 and later transferred to the Windhoek Central Hospital, where he died on May 18. A total 27 contacts were identified, of which, 24 were health care workers. The Ministry of Health and Social Services has in the meantime announced that Namibia has recorded six CCHF outbreaks since 2016, with a total of three deaths.…

29 May

Cabinet approves N$ 87 million for drought relief

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Cabinet last week activated emergency measures to provide food assistance to drought-stricken households in the //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions. About N$87.4 million has been availed for drought relief, for the next six months starting on 1 July 2023, the government announced. The Cabinet has since directed the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Services to provide assistance through the respective regional councils to people and animals in the worst affected regions.…

29 May

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila labels GIPF a catalyst for economic growth

ObserverNational NewsKuugongelwa-Amadhila labels GIPF a catalyst for economic growth

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has declared the Government Institutions Pension Fund a catalyst for economic growth, given its huge investment to the country’s social and financial development as it provides returns to Namibia. The Prime Minister stated that the fund has invested 50 percent of its fund value at an estimated amount of N$75 billion, making it the largest fund investor individually towards the economy of the country in terms of infrastructures, housing, and other strategic sectors of the economy since its inception in 1989. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila delivered a speech during the launch of the GIPF Strategic Plan of…

29 May

Geingob decries inequality of approach to conflicts

ObserverNational NewsGeingob decries inequality of approach to conflicts

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob, who is also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has condemned the unequal approach to conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, by International peace keeping bodies and sympathizers. Eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict involving at least 122 rebel groups, according to a recent count by the United Nations. According to Geingob, people are dying while Africans are being cajoled to support and condemn Russia for invading Ukraine. “We have our own problems that nobody seems to pay attention to, and…

29 May

40 000 job seekers apply for Nampol, 2 398 shortlisted

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police has revealed that more than 40 000 people applied for the cadet constable job opportunities advertised recently and that only 2,398 candidates have been shortlisted for interviews. The Namibian Police is seeking to employ about 1,000 cadet officers, and the shortlisted candidates are expected to undergo several tests. However, Nampol did not specify what criteria they used to reduce the over 40, 000 candidates into a smaller number. The 1,000 new cadet constables will include 250 who are coming from the National Youth Service at an advanced stage. The recruitment interviews will be conducted at…

26 May

Grootfontein Town Council fires Sinvula

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The Town Council of Grootfontein has decided to dissolve the employment contract of Kisco Sinvula as the Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Sinvula was supposed to return to work at the start of the week after a High Court Judge ruled that he should be reinstated. Judge Boas Usiku nullified the embattled CEO’s suspension on the grounds that the Town Council’s actions were taken without the permission of Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development. The Chairperson of the Grootfontein Municipality’s Executive Committee, Elisabeth Kastoor confirmed that the Town Council resolved to terminate the employment…

26 May

IPC calls for a referendum on same-sex marriages

ObserverNational NewsIPC calls for a referendum on same-sex marriages

Niël Terblanché By importing horizontally, foreign Common Law Principles from abroad, the Supreme Court of Namibia seriously undermined the sovereignty of the country’s judicial system and made it subordinate to a foreign commonwealth country's court, in a common law jurisdiction, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) said. The Independent Patriots for Change says it will support the Proclamation of a National Referendum as the only legitimate superior act of the Sovereign in which the people of Namibia may exercise their authority in which "All power" is vested. In a statement, the IPC said that a referendum is the only possible…

26 May

Cabinet approves N$200 billion agreement to develop Green Hydrogen Project

ObserverNational NewsCabinet approves N$200 billion agreement to develop Green Hydrogen Project

Niël Terblanché The Government of the Republic of Namibia officially approved the country’s entry into a pioneering N$200 billion agreement to develop Sub-Saharan Africa’s Largest Green Hydrogen Project with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Namibia. The Namibian Cabinet took this landmark decision on Wednesday. The feasibility and implementation agreement will be officially signed today. According to a statement released by the Namibian Presidency, the transformative impact of this project on Namibia and its economy will be considerable. The project will create up to 15 000 new jobs during the construction phase, 3 000 permanent jobs during its operation, with the target for…