Observer Money – Page 162 – Windhoek Observer

10 Oct

15-year PG requirement raises eyebrows

ObserverObserver MoneyJudicial Service Commission (JSC), Prosecutor General

Andrew Kathindi The decision by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to change the requirements for the appointment of the next Prosecutor General (PG) has raised eye brows amid concerns the move will disenfranchise many lawyers who might be qualified and interested in the post. This comes after a vacancy was advertised for a new Prosecutor General, with clear indications to replace incumbent Martha Imalwa. One of the new requirements for the Prosecutor General post is a minimum of 15 years post admission experience. The current Prosecutor General, who has been in charge for 16 years with her contract extended by…

09 Oct

GBV protesters demand Sioka’s resignation

ObserverObserver MoneyDoreen Sioka, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Gender Equality minister, president Hage Geingob

Clifton Movirongo and Helena Johannes Hundreds of protesters marched to Parliament building, demanding the resignation of Gender Equality minister, Doreen Sioka, accusing her of being ‘incompetent’ and ‘inconsistent’ in a petition which they handed to Justice minister, Yvonne Dausab. The protesters are also demanding that President Hage Geingob declares a state of emergency on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). “We are here to fight for the full protection of women in our societies and we want the government to introduce a GBV State of Emergency, we also want the minister of Gender to step down as we have seen that there is…

09 Oct

Police detain suspect over Shannon case …as remains arrive in Windhoek for testing

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibian Police, NAMPOL, Shannon Wasserfall, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi The Namibian Police has announced that a woman has been detained for further questioning in connection with the discovery of humans remains, believed to be that of Shannon Wasserfall. The development comes after Tega Matheus, Wasserfall’s father revealed to the Windhoek Observer that he and his other daughter had received an anonymous SMS with the exact location of the remains, which are believed to be that of Wasserfall, who went missing on 10 April this year. “Due to the circumstances under which the human remains were discovered, the police have registered a case of murder, alternatively, defeating the…

08 Oct

Young trainees driving innovation at the NamPower Training Centre

ObserverObserver MoneyNamPower, NamPower’s Vocational Training Centre

Sem Mathews (22) and Juan Pete Compaan (22) are two fourth year Electrical General students at NamPower’s Vocational Training Centre who are using the passion they have for their trade to create a technologically-smart NamPower. The two are at the forefront of research and development for the implementation of automated lighting for NamPower buildings. The journey that sparked this company-wide lighting automation project began when both Mathews and Compaan took part in World Skills Namibia in April 2019, a national competition that allows technical institutions and individuals to test their skills proficiency against peers in the same trade. “We first…

08 Oct

COVID-19 to dominate SADC PF Plenary

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, SADC, SADC Parliamentary Forum, SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, SADC-PF

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA – The SADC Parliamentary Forum will hold its 47th Plenary Assembly Session virtually from the 9th to the 11th of October 2020 under the theme: “The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Accountability during a pandemic: The Case of COVID-19.” This would be the first time that a SADC PF Plenary takes place virtually. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has now claimed the lives of more than one million people all over the world, has prompted many organisations to suspend face-to-face meetings as they strive to continue working under safe conditions. SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma…

08 Oct

AR to file for new application with the High Court …As electoral tribunal dismisses application

ObserverObserver MoneyAffirmative Reposition (AR), ECN, Electoral Tribunal

Clifton Movirongo The Affirmative Reposition (AR) movement says it will approach the High Court on Thursday after the Electoral Tribunal for Windhoek dismissed its application for continuous voters' registration the day before. This comes as AR in September took the government and ECN to the Electoral Tribunal pursuing an order to make the ECN to implement continuous voters' registration. One of the issues placed before the Electoral Tribunal is the decision of the Electoral Commission not to fill the casual vacancy at the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency as required by Section 3 of the Regional Council Act 22 of 1992. AR's…

08 Oct

Police delay DNA testing for Shannon case…as victim’s father complains about police

ObserverObserver MoneyErongo region, Walvis Bay

Helena Johannes and Andrew Kathindi The confirmation of the identity of human remains discovered in Walvis Bay on Tuesday could be delayed amid revelations that the police forensics laboratory needed to undertake the tests are currently not functional. The remains are believed to belong to Shannon Wasserfall who has been missing since April, 2020. Tests done in police laboratories are crucial in providing a positive identity through DNA testing. “The DNA test is not done yet as the equipment is being moved from the old laboratory to the new laboratory. Due to this, the remains are still in the police…

07 Oct

Govt negotiates desalination plant price tag

ObserverObserver MoneyAreva Resources Namibia, Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein, Namwater

Helena Johannes Government is currently engaged in negotiations with Orano Resources (previously Areva Resources Namibia) over the N$3 billion price tag placed on its desalination water plant, as it renews interest to acquire the facility, Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein has revealed. The government deal is expected to be carried out through water utility, NamWater, should the parties find common ground. “It is overpriced and we are not taking up the offer, however we are in the process of negotiating with them for price reduction,” Schlettwein said. The government renewed interest comes after more than five…

07 Oct

Namibia ponders auctioning all fishing quotas

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi Government is considering auctioning off all fish quotas for future allocations, and not just its portion kept for governmental objectives, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi has revealed. This possible government action comes from the Presidential High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy (HLPNE), which was appointed by President Hage Geingob last year. The Panel has the scope to consult and make recommendations to the President on the Namibian economy. It recommended that government auction off its fish quota for governmental objectives. These quotas were, in the past, handed to Fishcor to facilitate their disposal. Last week Shiimi revealed that the…

06 Oct

‘Every BODY Counts!’…as bodily integrity and autonomy campaign kicks off

ObserverObserver MoneyAIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), United Nations

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Justice and equity fell into sharp focus on 1 October when the AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) launched a campaign to call for the realisation of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity in Southern and East Africa. The rights to bodily autonomy and integrity presuppose the ability for everyone to have dignity and agency to own and take decisions and make choices – including those related to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) - over one’s body without regard to external pressures. Dubbed ‘Every BODY Counts!’ and launched virtually, the regional campaign…