National News – Page 355

31 May

Youth urged to participate in public hearings

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInna Hengari, Youth urged to participate in public hearings

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement Parliamentarian, Inna Hengari has urged all young people to attend and participate in the public hearing about unemployment to make their voices be heard. “All young people and stakeholders are urged to attend these very important public hearings on youth unemployment,” she said. Hengari said she is happy to hear that the relevant parliamentary Standing Committee has begun conducting public engagements on this urgent and important matter that has left many young people hopeless and forced them to risk their lives to unreasonable acts as their means of survival”. Hengari has been at the forefront…

30 May

MTC defies CRAN

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKatrina Sikeni, MTC defies CRAN, SIM card registration, Tim Ekandjo

Martin Endjala The Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) announced yesterday that it will continue with its controversial biometric data capturing process for the nationwide SIM card registration, despite directives of discontinuity by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia(CRAN). MTC Chief Human Capital, Corporate and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo, in a statement yesterday stated that they have taken note of the announcement by CRAN, however, their position is that the rationale behind their biometrics is part of their “Verifi” process, which he says is an extended and enhanced tool for customer authenticity considering increased cyber and online fraud often involving stolen identities. In…

30 May

Amupanda labels RFLAUN ‘useless’

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAmupanda labels RFLAUN ‘useless’

Stefanus Nashama Former City of Windhoek Mayor, Job Amupanda claims the Retirement Fund for Local Authorities and Utility Services in Namibia (RFLAUN) does not care about its beneficiaries and is occupied by a regressive mentality. “What is clear here is that all of the people who are part of RFLAUN will not be helped. This pension fund is saying it does not care about you after you are done contributing. This stupid mentality must die,” he said. Amupanda made these claims yesterday in response to a media statement by RFLAUN, which hit back at him after he posted allegations on…

30 May

Pick n Pay Namibia opens new doors in Soweto

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPick n Pay Namibia opens new doors in Soweto

Martin Endjala Pick n Pay Namibia, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, officially opened the doors of its new Pick n Pay Express Store at the Namcor Soweto service station in Katutura, Windhoek last week. This new store is Pick n Pay Namibia’s second owner-managed Express Store. Speaking at the opening of the store, Pick n Pay Express Namcor Soweto service station owner, David Ilonga said opening the shop was not an easy journey. “We believe that this new business will not only create jobs for people in the surrounding communities but will also eliminate the need…

30 May

CoW working towards preventing bushfires

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Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek embarked on an initiative to chop down and cut down old dead trees and dry grass to prevent bushfires from ever happening or escalating.The Disaster Risk Management Division proactively took measures to prevent and prepare for field fires in Windhoek, following a record number of field fires experienced in the capital.These efforts involve strategically placed firebreaks resembling gravel roads to serve as robust barriers, impeding the spread of fires and acting as protective firewalls. Alongside considering wind direction and vegetation, the firebreaks effectively impede the rapid spread of fires and ensure convenient accessibility for…

30 May

932 Rhinos dehorned in Namibia since 2018

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Environment Tourism and Forestry will store the horns which it dehorned from problematic and ageing rhinos while they seek permission from international organizations regulating the trade of wildlife products to sell them and make revenue for the country. This is according to MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda who said that the horns from the dehorning process are going to be kept and stored safely by the Ministry. He says the funds will be used for the security of the species and that at the moment they do not have the approval as of yet. Muyunda did…

30 May

Amushelelo reportedly in solitary confinement

info_e12wt4csNational News

Staff Writer The lawyers representing Michael Amushelelo say that he is being kept in solitary confinement out of fear that he will politically influence other inmates.Amushelelo was arrested in March after a failed youth protest against unemployment. He was arrested alongside Parliamentarian Inna Hengari and Activist Dimbulukweni Nauyoma, who have both been released on bail. Amushelelo today appeared in the Katutura Magistrate’s court. Kadhila Amoomo his lawyer said the state still opposes the granting of bail. Amushelelo is appealing the refusal of bail in the High court and the matter will be heard in June.

30 May

Three commit suicide over the weekend

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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.…