National News – Page 369 – Windhoek Observer

21 May

NC appeals for MURD’s budgetary increment

ObserverNational NewsCouncilor Andreas Uutoni, National Council, NC appeals for MURD’s budgetary increment

Martin Endjala Several members of the National Council session on Wednesday appealed to the Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, for an increase in the budgetary appropriation of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development(MURD) for regional councils to take care of their duties. This comes after a one billion allocation to the MURD, which is also tasked with land development in the country. Paulus Mbangu, pointed out that the N$20 million sanitation budgetary allocation is not enough all 121 constituencies in the country adding that besides for the 572 toilets that have been completed so far, there is still a need…

21 May

Namibia lost quarter of its forest area

ObserverNational NewsLukas Sinimbo Muha, Micky Lukeazi, Namibia lost quarter of its forest area, The National Council Chairperson

Martin Endjala Namibia lost nearly 20 percent of its forest area during the past 30 years, through wildfires, bush clearance of land for food production, security and illegal harvesting activities. The National Council Chairperson has warned that the country will lose more of its forest resources if it does not apply sustainable use its natural resources. Lukas Sinimbo Muha said this during the pubic parliamentary engagement on tackling climate change in Namibia at Safari Hotel. The engagement is aimed at strengthening the Namibian government’s work in addressing the unsustainable use of timber resources and uncontrolled deforestation. Muha said that the…

21 May

Tsumeb community demands improved services

ObserverNational NewsTsumeb community demands improved services, Tsumeb Mayor Mathew Hangula

Obrein Simasiku Residents of Tsumeb took to the streets this week to show their displeasure with poor services, saying the services are incomparable to the value of the money they pay in rates and taxes. They in addition called for the whole local authority council be dissolved, reasoning it has failed to address the needs and interests of the people. “As residents we are not happy with the municipality, as the local authority has failed in present and future to implement developmental projects with potential to uplift the town, instead it is turning into a ghost and lifeless town,” read…

21 May

Namibia committed to end child labour

ObserverNational NewsFifth Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, Kavango West, Ministry of Labour says that Namibia, Namibia committed to end child labour

Staff Writer Namibia was represented at the Fifth Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour that ended today in Durban, South Africa by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Hafeni Ndemula. This is the first such conference to be held in Africa. The Namibian delegation contributed to the conference deliberations for urgent action to combat the rising numbers of child labour on the African continent and the world at large. In a statement issued today in relation to the conference, the Ministry of Labour says that Namibia has recorded a total of 10 child labour cases between 2015 and 2021, four…

21 May

Undetected child labour in Namibia

ObserverNational NewsMinistry of Gender Equality, Namibian Labour Act, Undetected child labour in Namibia

Tujoromajo Kasuto A new type of child labour is emerging in Windhoek, where children are forced to do manual work such as domestic work, selling eggs, fruits and airtime vouchers on the streets among other things for very little payment. The Windhoek Observer last year interviewed a number of children who work as street vendors mainly in Windhoek for bosses, who accommodate them under deplorable conditions and literally keep them as their slaves. Many of these children have been lured from their families, mostly in Angola under false pretences and are subjected to child labour by these bosses who sometimes…

19 May

Tourism sector drives sluggish economy

ObserverNational NewsChief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold, thanks to reduced risks from border closures. According to the Hospitality Association of Namibia, Theo Klein in last month’s Hospitality report notes that the upcoming winter season is expected to experience another above average increase in Covid-19 infections, Tourism sector drives sluggish economy

Tujoromajo Kasuto The tourism sector is the light in a dark tunnel for Namibian economy, with new data indicating that the recovery from the lockdown-induced depression is strengthening and may not necessarily lose momentum over the upcoming winter season, thanks to reduced risks from border closures. According to the Hospitality Association of Namibia, Chief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold, the industry is convinced that the current tourist recovery trend will continue, since there is considerable interest in and demand for Namibia from the worldwide travel trade. Simonis Storm Research Firm Economist, Theo Klein in last month’s Hospitality report notes that the…

19 May

Swapo Politburo split over constitutional amendments

ObserverNational NewsHage Geingob, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Swapo Party President, Swapo Politburo split over constitutional amendments

The Swapo Party President and Vice President were pitted against each other in the Politburo meeting over whether the controversial ‘Helmut Amendments’ should be endorsed or be relooked.Hage Geingob and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa were in opposing territory as they Politburo differed over the amendments. Ndaitwah, who seem to be favoured by the amendments, argued that the amendments should not be up for any discussions and should just be endorsed. Geingob on the other hand pushed for them to be subjected to a review. The Swapo Party Central Committee meeting this weekend will now have the enviable task to decisively deal with…

18 May

British murder suspect in Nam survives UK fraud allegations

ObserverNational NewsBritish murder suspect in Nam survives UK fraud allegations, Enigma Diagnostics, Harvey Boulter, Justice David Doyle, N$1.3 billion of investors’ money.

British billionaire, who is currently awaiting murder trial in Namibia, Harvey Boulter, has been exonerated Court of fraud allegations in Cayman Islands Grant Court. Boulter was being sued by liquidators of medical technology company, Enigma Diagnostics for the disappearance of N$1.3 billion of investors’ money. In Namibia the billionaire is charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed his farm manager at his farm new Grootfontein. The liquidators of Enigma Diagnostics of which Boulter was a shareholder and company secretary alleged that he used the company’s money for his own benefit, including a payment to a British super car…

Call for fake goods probe at China shops<br>…Allegations of tax evasion, money laundering also demanded

18 May

Call for fake goods probe at China shops
…Allegations of tax evasion, money laundering also demanded

ObserverNational NewsCall for fake goods probe at China shops, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), NEFF’s Kalimbo Ipumbu, Stina Wu

Obrein Simasiku/Hertta-Maria Amutenja Tension and emotions flared high as hundreds of people occupied some streets in the capital protesting against alleged sexual exploitation of Namibian workers by the Chinese bosses, money laundering and tax evasion, kidnapping and unfair labour practices as well.These demands were listed in various petitions handed over to a Chinese business tycoon, NamRA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security and the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development.The demonstrations, attracted participants from all over the country who joined the masses in solidarity with those who were arrested during Friday’s demonstration at China Town and those…

17 May

CEO divides Swapo council in Grootfontein

ObserverNational NewsCEO divides Swapo council in Grootfontein, Grootfontein, Kisco Sinvula, Talitha Garises

Obrein Simasiku Dust refuses to settle in Grootfontein, as another faction in support of the town mayor, Talitha Garises, has come to her defence.The group says the mayor should be left alone to focus on her works to address problems at the beleaguered council.“Hands off the Mayor, as she is trying her level best to clean Grootfontein once and for all. She needs to be accorded all the blessings, our inputs and support as well as good working relationship from her fellow Councilors and rest of the Municipality staff to carry out her mandate in the best interest of our…