Observer Money – Page 187

14 Oct

Namibia reports 31 new Hepatitis E Cases

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHepatitis E Virus (HEV), Namibia Red Cross Society

Clifton Movirongo Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) continues to spread in the country, with 31 new cases reported from 06-17 September 2020 compared to 29 cases reported in the previous reporting period, 10-23 August 2020. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), as of 20 September 2020, a cumulative total of 7,966 HEV cases were reported since the outbreak was declared in December 2017. Khomas Region according to Ministry of Health figures accounts for the highest number of cases at 62 percent followed by Erongo Region with 21 percent of the cases. The remaining 17 percent of reported…

14 Oct

Government promises rafts of GBV reforms

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMinister of Justice, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila, Yvonne Dausab

Helena Johannes The government has been forced to implement a raft of new measures to fight Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country as a response to a petition that was handed by protestors to Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab last week. Some of the new measures will include the establishment of a Sexual and GBV Offences Court, reviewing of sentencing laws for sex offenders, expedition of current murder and sexual offence trials, reviewing current prisoners in the correctional services system in order to separate known repeat offenders, capacitate forensic investigators and experts and the provision of remote and mobile…

13 Oct

COVID-19 wakeup call: Vice President

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibia’s Vice President Nangolo Mbumba

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Namibia’s Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has said that the ongoing COVID-19 is “a wakeup call” and the SADC Region’s Members of Parliament must adapt to the new norm. He made the remarks when he officially opened the virtual 47th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum on Friday. “It is evident, that COVID-19 pandemic is a wakeup call to all of us - Governments, Parliaments and the citizenry all over the world. In the rude rush to respond to the novel pandemic, in some instances, responses were knee-jerk and suffered from experimentation,” the VP…

13 Oct

Kudos for Namibia’s COVID-19 response

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneySADC PF Vice President Senator Isaac Mmemo Magagula, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Namibia’s response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has drawn praise and admiration, with a top delegate during the 47th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), saying it “offers priceless lessons to be shared”. While thanking Namibia’s Vice President Nangolo Mbumba for officially opening the Plenary which was held virtually from last Friday, SADC PF Vice President Senator Isaac Mmemo Magagula, hailed Namibia for innovatively using data and science to respond to the pandemic. “It would be remiss of me not take this opportunity to salute the Government of the Republic…

13 Oct

Protesters maintain innocence over protest arrests …as charges against 24 are dropped

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibian Police

Clifton Movirongo and Helena Johannes Nearly 25 protestors who were arrested on Saturday during a march against gender-based violence (GBV) and rape in the central business district (CBD) of Windhoek, maintain they did nothing wrong. They claim their arrest was unwarranted. This comes after the protesters, who were arrested by the Namibian Police on Saturday, had all charges against them dropped on Monday after the Prosecutor-General declined to prosecute the case. The 24 had been charged with breaking the health and safety regulations, participating in an illegal demonstration and disturbing peace. However, the protesters’ leaders denied the allegations of breaching…

13 Oct

Youth condemn police brutality …as Ndeitunga is unrepentant

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDoreen Sioka, Inspector General of the Namibian Police; Sebastian Ndeitunga, Minister of Justice Yvonne Dausab, Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), Prime Minister

Andrew Kathindi Namibian youth have condemned the actions of police over the weekend after 24 young people were arrested while protesting against gender-based violence (GBV) and rape. This comes after Inspector General of the Namibian Police; Sebastian Ndeitunga on Monday defended the police action, stating that protestors, including four journalists were arrested for “acting outside the scope of a peaceful protest.” “It’s very unfortunate the response that came from the Police, especially the side of the special reserve force. Being on the ground since day one, being in support of the protest, we have not observed any form of violence…

10 Oct

Suspect in court charged with Shannon’s murder

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyShannon Wasserfall, Walvis Bay

Helena Johannes A Walvis Bay resident, Azaan Madisia (28) made her first court appearance in the Walvis Bay magistrate court on charges of murder and obstruction of court of law in connection with Shannon Wasserfall’s disappearance. The suspect was denied bail and the case postponed to 07 December 2020 for further investigations. Her arrest and arraignment before the courts is the first major breakthrough in the case since the disappearance of Wasserfall more than six months ago. Chief Inspector Sam Shilemba told the Windhoek Observer that Madisia is the only suspect that has been arrested in connection with Wasserfall’s disappearance.…

10 Oct

Geingob’s advisor lands board seat

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyIipumbu Shiimi, James Mnyupe

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob’s recently appointed Economic Advisor James Mnyupe been appointed to the Road Fund Administration (RFA) board by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi. Mnyupe joined the State House team last month as a replacement for John Steytler who resigned from his post last year. The former Allan Gray Namibia Managing Director is joined on the new look RFA board by Bank of Namibia Director of Strategic Communication, Dr Emma Haiyambo who will hold the chair. Other board members include Standard Bank Namibia Head: Human Resources Isdor Angula, Oshoveli Hivelua and Melanie Tjijenda Director: Quality Assurance, Standards, Skills Development…

10 Oct

15-year PG requirement raises eyebrows

info_e12wt4csObserver 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

info_e12wt4csObserver 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…