Observer Money – Page 172 – Windhoek Observer

04 Nov

Walvis Bay CEO blames banking error for ‘missing millions’

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muronga Haingura

Andrew Kathindi The Walvis Bay municipality has blamed an error by banks as the reason why millions were allegedly flagged as ‘missing’ from a June 2018 financial report. This comes as Walvis Bay Constituency Councilor Knowledge Iipinge in September threatened to take legal action if around N$24 million, which was part of the massive urban land servicing initiative, never reached the municipality account and is not accounted for. Walvis Bay Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muronga Haingura told the Windhoek Observer an amount of around N$18 million for 68 houses was paid to the municipality account by banks for clients who…

03 Nov

PDM urges ECN to play fair in the upcoming election…as political parties are upbeat

ObserverObserver MoneyPopular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to ensure fair play in the upcoming election. This comes as the country is set to hold Regional Council and Local Authority Elections on the 25th of November and use ballot papers, a process which was phased out in 2014 following the introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs). Due to the outcome of a court challenge about the legality of EVMs without a verifiable paper trail for each vote cast, the machines will not be used in the upcoming elections. “I never trusted EVMs without…

03 Nov

Business demands Govt pays up…as only N$2.5 billion is paid

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI)

Clifton Movirongo The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says seven months on, some of its members are yet to be paid by government since the Minister of Finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, announced on April 1, 2020, a N$3.8 billion accelerated value-added tax (VAT) refunds and payments for goods and services supplied to Government. The funds were part of an Economic Stimulus and Relief Package to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Namibia. Government in collaboration with Social Security Commission (SSC) and other development partners adopted a Stimulus and Relief Package amounting to N$8.1 billion in total in April. It…

30 Oct

Breast cancer cases are on the rise

ObserverObserver MoneyBreast cancer, Namibia

Clifton Movirongo The cases of breast cancer in Namibia are increasing at an alarming rate with over 500 new cases reported annually. At an interview on Friday, Head of the Department (HoD) of Medical Oncology at the Windhoek Central Hospital Dr Annelle Zietsman has warned of the burgeoning rate of breast cancer cases over the last three of years. “Breast cancer is the number one cancer in the country. There are more than 500 new cases of breast cancer recorded every year. The main cause of breast cancer in less than 10 percent of the cases is hereditary. They have…

30 Oct

5G bribery investigations still ongoing

ObserverObserver MoneyMike Kavekotora, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), RDP

Helena Johannes The President of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) Mike Kavekotora said that bribery internal investigations of former member Brunhilde Cornelius and Nicanor Ndjoze are still ongoing despite Cornelius’ resignation from the party. “We are expecting to have an internal meeting within the upcoming two weeks to discuss and conclude the matter,” Kavekotora said. This comes as Kavekotora previously told Windhoek Observer that investigations of the two were disrupted by COVID-9 restrictions of movement in and out of Windhoek. Cornelius has alleged she was offered a bribe by Ndjoze who is also a RDP member to ensure…

30 Oct

Kahimise leaves tomorrow

ObserverObserver MoneyRobert Kahimise, Windhoek Mayor Fransina Kahungu

Andrew Kathindi City of Windhoek (CoW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Kahimise is set to end his tumultuous relationship with the city tomorrow after four years at the helm. This comes after the CoW executive revealed that he had not been engaged to reconsider his resignation. "The decision to leave tomorrow (Friday) is final. Tomorrow is my last day," he said. Quizzed on whether any regional executive committee members or councilors had approached him, Kahimise told Windhoek Observer, “No.” This comes as the CEO previously hinted that he would be willing to stay on if asked to by council and…

30 Oct

New twist to PDM parliamentary list fight…as ECN distances self

ObserverObserver MoneyCharmaine Tjirare, Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Hidipo Hamata

Andrew Kathindi Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has washed its hands of the matter of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentary list. This comes as Lawyer Norman Tjombe representing PDM members Charmaine Tjirare and Hidipo Hamata, last week, wrote to Parliament, demanding that his clients be recognized and added as elected members of the National Assembly. When approached for comment, Chief Electoral Officer of the ECN, Theo Mujoro directed all queries regarding the matter to Government Attorney, Mati Asino. According to Asino the matter regarding the disputed parliamentary list should be sorted internally within the PDM ranks and ECN should…

29 Oct

Nghipunya’s bail application dismissed

ObserverObserver MoneyFishcor Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mike Nghipunya

Staff Writer The bail application for former Fishcor Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Nghipunya was dismissed on Wednesday by the Windhoek High Court on grounds of public interest and administration of justice. Defence Lawyer Milton Engelbrecht said that he will consult Nghipunya before making the next move. Engelbrecht is the representing Nghipunya with advocate Thabang Phatela as a consultant with a mandate only to appeal in the High Court. “Basically what happened is that the bail has been refused on two issues, the public’s interest and administration of justice. I will only consult the client during the course of the…

29 Oct

Education Ministry to avail 488 teaching posts

ObserverObserver MoneyMinister of Education Anna Nghipondoka, Ministry of Education Art and Culture, NANTU, Office of the President

Helena Johannes The Ministry of Education Art and Culture has announced that it has made 488 posts available for unemployed qualified teachers across the country. Minister of Education Anna Nghipondoka, said the ministry has identified the need for 180 posts in the expansion of access to Pre-primary as the majority of unemployed teachers are qualified in the area of Junior Primary, with a further expansion of access allocated another 140 posts which made it 488 posts available. “We acknowledge the receipt of names of qualified, yet unemployed graduates in the field education. Such lists were received through the petitioners themselves,…

29 Oct

Government to re-look at COVID-19 measures …as second wave of pandemic hits Europe

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Forestry and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has said it is monitoring the second COVID-19 wave currently occurring in Europe and will amend current measures as the situation on the ground unfolds. Chair of the Tourism Revival Initiative (TRI) within the Tourism Ministry, Seimy Christoph-Shidute told Windhoek Observer that the ministry is on alert and concerned by the developments in Europe and elsewhere. “Together with Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) we are making sure that in addition to the negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests that every tourist must provide, further health screening is done on arrival at…