Observer Money – Page 172

11 May

Namibia spends over N$1 billion on Covid-19

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Namibia has officially spent over N$1 billion up to date in its fight against Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, revealed. According to information from MoHSS, N$747 million was spent last year on Covid-19, with N$458 million so far spent this year on vaccines. “We had a budget of N$747 million, that budget was executed for 2020. For now we have the resources provided in the budget of the Ministry of Health and Social Services but it’s not for Covid-19 in specific. It is for the response generally to health care. That…

11 May

Favouritism allegations rock NIDA CEO appointment

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyChief Executive Officer (CEO), Heinrich Mihe Goamab ll, Michael Humavindu, Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA)

Staff Writer It has emerged that Cabinet ignored recommendations from the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) board in the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). According to insiders, the NIDA board, chaired by former Nedbank Managing Director, Lionel Mathews, had recommended Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) Deputy Executive Director, Michael Humavindu, for the top job. The board’s decision is alleged to have been ignored by Public Enterprises Minister Leon Jooste, who is said, with the support of Cabinet to have pushed through for the appointment of former African Development Bank (AfDB) Executive Director, Heinrich Mihe Goamab ll,…

08 May

Genocide reparations case cost millions

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyGenocide reparations case cost millions, Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), Vekuii Rukoro

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) has revealed that it and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) has forked out million in legal fees over that past 20 years in their legal fight to compel Germany to pay reparations for the genocide committed against the tribe from 1904-08. Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) Paramount Chief, Vekuii Rukoro, in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, although tight lipped on the exact amount, said “the cost of taking the German government to court in New York and litigating that case all the way to the highest court in the United States is indeed…

07 May

Fifteen vie for ECN posts

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Parliament has shortlisted 15 candidates to be interviewed for three commissioner positions that are set to become vacant on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Among those shortlisted and vying for the ECN posts, is 25-year-old Munolwisho Ipangelua, who if successful, will become the youngest commissioner to be appointed on the ECN board, with the oldest being 65-year-old pastor, Petrus van Zyl. The vacancies will arise due to the end of the terms of current Chairperson, Notemba Tjipueja, and Ulrich Freyer on the 15th of September. Both have served two terms and cannot be considered for reappointment due…

07 May

LPM High Court judgement questioned

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBernandus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM), McHenry Venaani, Mike Kavekotora, MPs, Peter Katjavivi, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Speaker of Parliament

Andrew Kathindi The High Court’s decision to dismiss the Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) application to set aside Speaker of Parliament, Peter Katjavivi’s indefinite suspension of Bernandus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb could set a worrying precedent. These were the views of Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) President Mike Kavekotora, who sits on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and Internal Arrangements (STROC). The STROC according to parliament’s spokesperson, David Nahogandja, generally deals with matters such as misconduct before it is brought before the Privileges Committee. Kavekotora claimed that Katjavivi lied when he said the matter was dealt…

06 May

Michael Iyambo’s woes mount

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAgribank, Michael Iyambo, Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Former Chairperson of Agribank, Michael Iyambo’s continued stay as Chairperson of the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) remains uncertain amid indications of on-consultations being carried out by the appointing authorities over his role. Iyambo who was appointed to the NAB role in 2017, was forced out from his role as Chairperson of Agribank, amid accusations that he used his position to access personal funding from the Government-owned bank. Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste, whose ministry is entrusted with ensuring governance compliance by State-owned entities, confirmed that his ministry was looking into the matter.“We will look into that after we’ve…

06 May

Air Namibia’s liquidator finalised … as creditors gun for N$895m

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Bruni & Mclaren, Challenge Air, Namibia Airports Company (NAC), Paragon Investment Holdings

Andrew Kathindi Bruni & Mclaren were appointed final liquidator of Air Namibia at a meeting held at the Masters of the High Court on Wednesday morning. The serial liquidators were previously appointed on a provisional basis. This was the first meeting between Air Namibia and creditors after the airline’s liquidation was finalised last month by Acting High Court Judge, Kobus Miller, after the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), who are Air Namibia’s biggest creditor, had filed an application. The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting was to consider the statement of affairs (a legal document listing the assets and liabilities of the Airline…

04 May

Board members mass exodus on the horizon …as new cabinet directive takes effect

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBoard members mass exodus on the horizon, Gisbertus Mukulu, Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs)

Andrew Kathindi, Tujoromajo Kasuto State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) could see a mass exodus in the following months and years, with a new Cabinet directive baring Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of SOEs serving on the board of other SOEs. The development was confirmed by Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste. The new directive is the reason why Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, will not be considered for reappointment as board Chairperson of the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). Shivute had previously admitted failure during his tenure at the NHE, which is currently faced with a leadership crisis pitting senior management against…

01 May

Kalahari Soldier faces murder trial

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyKalahari, Katutura, Namibia Defence Force (NDF)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri A member of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) who fatally shot an unarmed 32-year-old, Benisius Kalola, at Katutura’s Single Quarters during a Kalahari operation almost two years ago, is set to go on trial next week facing charges of murder. Kalola succumbed to injuries at a local hospital after he was allegedly shot in the back with an AK-47, just a few metres from his family home near the Single Quarters after being chased by armed NDF members. Mulele Darrel Nyambe is set to become the first member of the uniformed forces to face criminal charges emanating from…

01 May

Geingob in self-isolation

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri President Hage Geingob is in self-isolation amid COVID-19 fears. According to Presidential Press Secretary, Alfredo Hengari, the President has been in isolation since his last trip to the Zambezi region about six days ago. During the trip, Geingob met traditional leaders and the Nchindo family, following the fatal shooting of three brothers and a cousin by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) last year. Hengari stated that this was done as a precautionary measure due to the President’s recent travels. “He has been meeting a lot of people, a weekend in Rundu, Katima so it’s a precaution measure,” he…