National News – Page 323 – Windhoek Observer

23 May

New NamWater board Chairperson ready to tackle water issues

ObserverNational NewsNew NamWater board Chairperson ready to tackle water issues

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The newly appointed Chairperson of the board of Namibia Water Corporation Limited (Namwater), Luther Rukira says he is ready to tackle all water challenges. Rukira was appointed yesterday to serve on the board, by the Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein. The board will serve for the next three years. He is deputised by Maenge Shiipiki-Kali. Other members include Vivianne Kinyaga, Francis Heunis,Uda Nakamela, Fanuel Uugwanga and Matty Hauanga as Directors. “I have been out of the NamWater sector for about ten years. I know of some NamWater challenges and I am confident that together…

23 May

Primary school learners rape neighbor’s child

ObserverNational NewsPrimary school learners rape neighbor’s child

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Three boys, aged between 13 and 12 years old are facing charges of rape, after they allegedly raped a six year old girl on Friday. The suspects, two grade seven learners and a grade six learner are yet to be arrested. Police in Oshikoto region say the victim is a grade one learner. The rape incident is alleged to have happened at the flats where the victim and the suspects reside. “It is alleged that all the suspects and the victim were playing together around the complex in which they reside. The suspects lured the victim behind one…

23 May

Social media masterclass will empower youth

ObserverNational NewsSocial media masterclass will empower youth

Niël Terblanché Young people from all over Africa, who work in tourism, are set to be empowered with practical skills in the application of social media marketing, business planning and investment pitch to potential investors during a masterclass that will take place in Swakopmund. Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and the Namibia Investment, Promotion and Development Board are collaborating to roll out MICE, Digital and Social Media Marketing Masterclass as a precursor of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2023. The Summit will take place in the coastal town…

22 May

Venaani condemns electricity tariff increase

ObserverNational NewsVenaani condemns electricity tariff increase

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader, McHenry Venaani says the increase in electricity tariff would only exacerbate the dire economic situation that countless Namibians find themselves in and harm those who are already struggling to make ends meet. This comes after the Electricity Control Board approved an 8.97 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the current financial year, which resulted in a total bulk tariff increase from the current N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour. Venaani said electricity is a fundamental necessity to society, and any increase in tariffs would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. “This…

22 May

Namibia supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Expo 2030

ObserverNational NewsNamibia supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Expo 2030

Niël Terblanché Namibia has joined the ranks of countries around the globe that will support Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. On Friday, President Hage Geingob received a courtesy visit at State House from the Advisor to the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Kattan. The discussion between the President and the special advisor centred on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and Namibia’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo in 2030 in Riyadh. The World Expo 2030 is expected to present a golden opportunity to…

22 May

Covid-19 prevention measures reinstated at Namibian courts

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Despite the fact that Namibia along with the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency, Namibians might still get infected with the latest evolution of the SARS-CoV2 virus. In this regard, the Office of the Judiciary informed all employees, the legal fraternity as well as the public that precautionary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the superior courts of Namibia will still be enforced. According to an internal office memorandum, the recent increase in the number and in particular the percentage of positive cases in Namibia, necessitated the courts…

22 May

Man rapes 10 year-old son

ObserverNational NewsMan rapes 10 year-old son

Niël Terblanché The community of Stampriet is reeling with shock, after a man raped his ten-year-old son on Saturday. According Nampol Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the horrific incident came to light after the boy’s aunt walked in on the father having anal sex with the child. The incident of rape occurred at a house in the Adakogus location of Stampriet and was reported to the local police at about 23:00 on Saturday evening. The suspect was arrested shortly after. It was reported that the little boy sustained injuries and had to be taken to the hospital where he was…

22 May

Five arrested on illicit drug charges

ObserverNational NewsFive arrested on illicit drug charges

Niël Terblanche Focussed operations by members of the Namibian Police netted five suspected drug dealers across Namibia over the weekend. According to arrest reports provided by the Public Relations Division of NamPol, one of the suspected drug dealers was arrested in the Drimihopsis settlement in the Gobabis district on Friday evening. “During the police operation, a 29-year-old man after he tried to flee from a police checkpoint in a red Volkswagen Golf. Members of the Namibian Police assisted by members of the Eastern Crime Forum pursued and stopped the vehicle in question and searched of occupants,” the report reads. During…

19 May

State requests 8+ years for Madisia and Malundu

ObserverNational NewsState requests 8+ years for Madisia and Malundu

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The state wants siblings Azaan Madisia (31) and Steven Malundu (25) who were acquitted in the murder of Shannon Wasserfall to serve a jail sentence of nothing less than eight years for tampering with evidence. High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg, convicted the siblings on the charge of Defeating the course of Justice, and acquitted them on the murder and robbery charges. During the process of arguments for the mitigating and aggravating circumstances of a possible jail term before Judge Liebenberg, state prosecutor, Henry Muhungo argued that given the fact that the state could not determine the cause of…

19 May

RA defends choosing Chinese contractors

ObserverNational NewsRA defends choosing Chinese contractors

Niël Terblanché Following a countrywide outcry over the possible choice of a Chinese contractor for the project to rehabilitate the road between Usakos and Karibib the Roads Authority clarified the prequalification process officially. The Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority, Conrad Lutombi, said in a statement that the tender process is subjected to the inclusion of KfW Development Bank of Germany tender rules and regulations. Lutombi said that the project will be financed through financial cooperation under the NDP5 support programme between Germany and Namibia. In line with financial cooperation, a loan agreement was signed on 13 December 2022…