National News – Page 454 – Windhoek Observer

28 Jun

Wendelinus hits back at OvahereroTraditional Authority after ‘Otjikaiva’ uproar

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former Mr Gay Namibia, Wendelinus Hamutenya has hit back at the Ovaherero Traditional leaders who took issue with his choice of outfit at a recent anti-homophobia protest in Windhoek. The Ovahereo Traditional Authority (OTA) expressed disgust after images of Hamutenya wearing a Herero women’s traditional dress( Ohorokova jozende) surfaced online. The protest was held against sanctioned homophobia and hate speech in Windhoek. Hamutenya says he wore the Herero traditional attire because it has a significant impact on modern tradition. He challenged the traditional authority to indicate the section of the constitution that prohibits men from wearing female garments.…

28 Jun

BoN Governor clarifies severe debt default practices

National News

Niël Terblanché The sale in execution of banking procedures to reduce debt owed by people, who have fallen on hard times, has left many Namibians without a roof over their heads. Johannes !Gawaxab, the Governor of Namibia’s central bank, has responded to niggling questions about the draconian judicial steps taken against people who default on their home loans and added that the BoN has taken note of the concern that some commercial banks in Namibia purchase properties at a low cost during the sale in execution process and may omit to credit the home loan debt with the amount obtained…

27 Jun

Brothers slapped with lawsuitafter evicting uncle’s widow

National NewsAili Iilende, Brothers slapped with lawsuitafter evicting uncle’s widow

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Oshakati High Court will this morning hear a matter in which the Ongandjera Traditional Authority is suing City Police Head of Legal Affairs, Senior Superintendent Eliaser Iiyambo and his brother Simon Iyambo for failing to comply with an order directing them to return their late uncle’s homestead keys to his widow, who they reportedly evicted from his home. The Traditional Authority approached the High Court, seeking an order that would compel the two brothers to return the keys to their late uncle Daniel Uutoni’s homestead to his widow, Aili Iilende. Iilende, who hails from Okathitukambanda village near…

27 Jun

Video recordings to be admissible in courts soon

National NewsVideo recordings to be admissible in courts soon

Martin Endjala Video recordings will be considered in trials as testimony in courts once the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice amendments submitted by the Justice Minister is enacted into law. This follows after Cabinet took note of plans to introduce the use of video recordings in trials to assist victims and witnesses in providing accurate testimonies. The introduction will enhance the use of technology in courts around the country to provide for the digital end-to-end process. The bill also aims to enhance the design and establishment of a peerless court system and live streaming of cases…

27 Jun

Infighting erupts in the APP

National News

Stefanus Nashama The suspended Secretary General of the All People’s Party (APP), Vincent Kanyetu, yesterday said there are serious infights and power struggles between the founders and people who joined the party after its formation. Kanyetu, who was recently suspended from the party, pointed out that the issue at hand is about who who should serve and who should go to Parliament. He also claimed that his suspension was triggered by a statement he recently released in which he declared his resistance against same-sex marriage. In the statement, Kanyetu condemned the recognition of same-sex marriages. “The founders of the party…

27 Jun

Nampol has no budget for more recruits

National NewsJoseph Shikongo, Nampol has no budget for more recruits

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police needs to recruit more police officers but is unable to do so at the moment due to budgetary constraints. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo confirmed the dilemma in an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday. Shikongo stated that he has taken note of the high unemployment rate in the country, but reiterated that at the moment it is not possible to advertise more posts at the moment as funds are not able to cover the salaries and other services. “Increasing the number of current recruits is not a problem. Yes, we…

27 Jun

Green Climate Fund wants to assess EIF projects

National NewsGreen Climate Fund wants to assess EIF projects

Martin Endjala The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat will be undertaking a mission to Namibia to assess the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia projects from the 26th of June to the 6th of July. The mission is aimed at assessing the quality of project implementation of all the EIF-approved projects, extracting lessons to govern future project implementation and providing recommendations to ensure project results and impacts are achieved. The secretariat will engage the EIF, government, civil society organisations, the Environmental Investment Fund projects staff and management, community-based organisations, and stakeholders on the implementation of all the EIF projects. They will…

26 Jun

Windhoek inmates found with 40 phones and drugs

National NewsVeikko Armus, Windhoek inmates found with 40 phones and drugs

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between January 2023 to June 2023, 40 mobile phones, 67 sachets of cannabis (283g) 40 pieces of crack cocaine, 2 mandrax tablets, and 42 sachets (941g) of tobacco were found at the Windhoek Correctional Facility. This is according to the officer-in-command of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, Deputy Commissioner Veikko Armas at the conclusion of an anti-contraband campaign which was held in Windhoek this past weekend to sensitise the public on the dangers of such practices. According to Armas, illegal goods are being smuggled into the prison by correctional officers, prison staff, offenders and people visiting inmates and they…

26 Jun

Amupanda appeals against‘rushed’ passing of critical bills

National NewsAmupanda appeals against‘rushed’ passing of critical bills, Job Amupanda

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning movement leader and former City of Windhoek Mayor, Job Amupanda has urged the National Assembly (NA) to immediately stop the rushing of bills and the subsequent parliamentary debates, he suggested are rushed and without proper consultation. Amupanda made these demands in a petition addressed to the National Assembly on Friday. “The National Assembly must subject these bills to the normal process in terms of the relevant provisions of the Standing Rules and Order. It would seem that these bills are set to be passed in the shortest possible time. A face-value reading of some of these…

26 Jun

Kawana calls for ethical standards with border officials to attract travelers

National NewsAlbert Kawana, Kawana calls for ethical standardswith border officials to attract travelers

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, has called on border officials to work in the spirit of unity and apply ethical standards, as they are the first face of the nation to engage with travelers. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the joint customer service training for Zambezi Region border officials on Friday, Kawana said his office has noted that communication breakdowns and lack of teamwork are some of the major issues causing the problems at the borders. He added that unity and principles are prerequisites among border officials. “Let us avoid working…