National News – Page 326

31 Jul

Over 180 modern slavery cases were reported in two years

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Police’s Crime Investigations Coordinator in Ohangwena, Over 180 modern slavery cases were reported in two years, World Day Against Trafficking (TIP)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2022 and 2023, the Namibian Police recorded 187 cases of human trafficking. This was revealed by Namibian Police’s Crime Investigations Coordinator in Ohangwena, Deputy Commissioner Zacharias Amakali on Friday at the observance of World Day Against Trafficking (TIP) in persons at the Oshikango Border Post in the Ohangwena Region. Amakali said the police currently have 101 cases of trafficking persons on hand compared to the 86 cases reported in 2022 and 26 cases are on court roll. In addition, he said the psychological impact on the victims has made it difficult to investigate cases of trafficking. “Victims…

31 Jul

Retrenchment at Etosha Fishing cancelled

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEtosha Fishing, Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU), Retrenchment at Etosha Fishing cancelled

Niël Terblanché The intended termination of all 430 staff of Etosha Fishing, which was set to become effective on 31 July 2023 has been retracted. The acting Managing Director of the Walvis Bay fishing company, Volker Paulsmeier also announced that Etosha Fishing has received a quota allocation of 5 000 tonnes of horse mackerel According to Paulsmeier, the allocation was approved by Cabinet, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources as Governmental Objective to sustain the cannery and preserve employment at the company. He said that operations at the cannery will however not commence with immediate effect as the…

31 Jul

Gay activist hits back at Venaani

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGay activist hits back at Venaani, LGBTQI+ community, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Stefanus Nashama Gay activist, Wendelinus Hamutenya, last week hit back at the leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, by saying that they do not need permission from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for same-sex marriages to be recognized. Hamutenya stated that Venaani should first get rid of the members of parliament who are part of the LGBTQI+ community. However, he did not mention any of the Parliament member who is part of the LGBTQI+ community. He added that politicians should respect their existence and the ruling of the Supreme Court. “This is the time for us to speak up…

31 Jul

Newly appointed Labour Advisory Council tofocus on unemployment

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLabour Advisory Council, Newly appointed Labour Advisory Council tofocus on unemployment

Stefanus Nashama The newly inaugurated Labour Advisory Council says that it will prioritise and create solutions that will address the high unemployment in the country. The Council is a tripartite body tasked with advising the minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation on issues facing the industry. The 15th Labour Advisory Council was inaugurated in Windhoek last week and the former Executive Director in the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja, will chair the body. The 13-member Council will serve a three-year term and is drawn from the state, registered trade unions and employer’s organizations.…

31 Jul

Cooperation holds the key to peace and prosperity

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAfrican Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Cooperation holds the key to peace and prosperity

Niël Terblanché The success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is highly dependent on strategic partnerships with countries and governments from around the world. The Vice President of Namibia, Dr Nangolo Mbumba addressed delegates to the Russia Africa Summit and said the African continent has set itself ambitious goals and flagship projects to propel the continental development, as enshrined in Agenda 2063.“One of those flagship projects is the AfCFTA which was launched in 2021. We encourage the Government of the Russian Federation to provide the necessary support to the African Union Member States as we implement this continental…

31 Jul

The City of Windhoek approves theestablishment of two new townships

info_e12wt4csNational NewsThe City of Windhoek approves theestablishment of two new townships

Martin Endjala The Municipal Council of Windhoek has approved the layout, the need, and the desirability to establish a township on Farm 1033 (a portion of Farm 999) that will be known as Otjomuise Extension 14. The township is designated for low-income groups and will serve as a relocation site for people from overcrowded informal settlements during the upgrading phase. The site Farm 1033 is located along Matshitshi Street, southwest of the Goreangab Dam and north of Otjomuise Extension 10. The farm is 35.8 hectares in extent comprising 126 erven was created as a result of the subdivision of Farm…

28 Jul

Nations urged to enhance collective security

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNations urged to enhance collective security

Niël Terblanché Geopolitical instability influences the balance of power between nation-states leading to uncertainty, tensions, and conflicts which pose a challenge to maintaining international security. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in her capacity as the SWAPO Party Vice addressed an international roundtable discussion on international security in the context of geopolitical instability and inter-party cooperation in St Petersburg, during the Russia Africa Summit and said the people of Namibia and that of the host country have a long strong cooperation that will be cherished. “The SWAPO Party is honoured to have been…

28 Jul

Namibian President admitted to hospital again

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian President admitted to hospital again, president Hage Geingob

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob was admitted to a hospital in Windhoek for a follow-up procedure on the aortic valve procedure he underwent in South Africa on 8 June 2023. According to a statement issued by the Namibian Presidency, the procedure in Windhoek went according to plan and Dr Geingob is in good spirits. In June President Hage Geingob was flown to South Africa to undergo a preventative surgical procedure after the presidential medical team detected a mild aortic stenosis during a routine medical checkup. At the time the medical staff advised that President Geingob be flown to South Africa…

28 Jul

Namibia admitted to the UN Water Convention

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia admitted to the UN Water Convention

Martin Endjala Namibia’s accession on 8 June 2023 to the United Nations Water Convention, made it the first Southern African country to the organisation. The landmark step will help Namibia to consolidate its long-standing commitment to transboundary water cooperation in Southern Africa. By joining the convention, Namibia aims to enhance water security and foster socioeconomic development for its population of 2.5 million people. By signing the UN Water Convention, Namibia has become the first country in southern Africa and the eighth country in Africa to join. The Water Convention, otherwise known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of…

28 Jul

Chinese company seek relief for N$ 33 million worth of income tax

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChinese company seek relief for N$ 33 million worth of income tax

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A Chinese construction company is seeking interim relief in the High Court of Namibia while alleging that N$33 031 543.04 was transferred from its bank account to the Bank of Namibia. The money is allegedly the total and combined tax payable in respect of income tax that was owed to the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) by the Zhong Mei Engineering Group. The company claims it was only informed in an audit exit meeting, which they claim they were not aware of, on 7 July 2023 that it owed that amount and it was due or payable prior on…