Observer Money – Page 189

06 Nov

Baby Shiloh family yet to receive answers from Health Ministry

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi Over three months after the death of Shiloh-Dean Ponhele, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is yet to confirm to the parents, Lavinia Kanyumbo and Damson Kosmas what transpired. A legal case will be pending. This comes as the Kanyumbo and Kosmas still maintain that their son did not die from COVID-19 but rather negligence. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula stated in August that an investigation had been launched to explain what happened. The Health Ministry recorded Shiloh's death as a COVID-19-related death in August, the youngest in the country, however, the mother of the baby, Kanyumbo insisted…

06 Nov

Shannon murder twist…as second suspect appears in court

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyShannon Wasserfall, Steven Mulundu, Walvis Bay

Helena Johannes In a new twist to the Shannon Wasserfall murder case, a second suspect Steven Mulundu (22) has appeared in the Walvis Bay magistrate courts charged with murder and obstruction of justice. Mulundu was denied bail and reminded in custody until the 7th of December after he was arrested on Thursday after he handed himself over at the Narraville police station in Kuisbmund, confessing to having assisted the 1st suspect, Azaan Madisia (28) to dispose the body of Shannon. According the police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi, Mulundu is believed to be a brother of Madisia who is the main suspect…

06 Nov

NSFAF faces fresh allegations …as minister distances herself

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHigher Education minister, Itah Kandji-Murangi, NSFAF

Helena Johannes Higher Education minister, Itah Kandji-Murangi has distanced her office from renewed problems at the trouble-prone, Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) amid discrimination and favoritism allegations against Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kennedy Kandume. “I am quite confident that the Board shall deal with whatever grievances are alleged against the CEO to the satisfaction of both parties without the involvement of my office,” said Murangi. She said that a competent Board of Directors has been appointed to drive the strategic focus of the institution and to deal with such concerns. The Minister’s comments come less than three months…

06 Nov

NUNW attacks ‘foreign’ companies

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Union of Namibia (NUNW), president Hage Geingob, SWAPO

Helena Johannes The National Union of Namibia (NUNW) has accused foreign companies operating in Namibia for deliberately firing workers under the guise of negative impacts from COVID-19 and poor economic conditions. They allege that this has been done to sabotage the ruling Swapo party. This comes as Swapo president Hage Geingob last month accused white Namibians of voting against the ruling party when Swapo is the author of the reconciliation policy that kept them wealthy and safe at independence. The NUNW statement was made on Wednesday when it announced its backing of the ruling party ahead of the upcoming regional…

05 Nov

Northern referral hospital still in planning phase…as Govt moots new Windhoek hospital

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyKalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi There is still no movement on the construction of the northern referral hospital, three years on after government mooted the idea, Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has revealed. The hospital which was set to be built in the Oshana region, was meant to cater to six other nearby northern regions, including Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kunene and part of Kavango West. Plans for the Northern Academic Referral Hospital were announced by former Health Minister Bernard Haufiku in 2017. “It has not been abandoned. It is still in the planning stage. It remains part of the overall…

05 Nov

Govt considers ending fishing quota auctions

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMinistry of Fisheries and Marine Resources

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has hinted that it may do away with the auctioning of its governmental fishing quotas after it managed to only raise a paltry N$8.4 million in August. Fisheries Executive Director, Annely Haiphene said that the ministry was unsure if and when there will be a next round of auction for the government’s fishing quotas, which was expected to commence this month. “For now, we have not decided whether we are still going to go on with auction or not. It was experimental, for the first time and now we are thinking…

04 Nov

PDM expelled candidate digs into party…As ECN decides on candidature withdrawal

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyPopular Democratic Movement (PDM), SWAPO

Helena Johannes The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) former regional council candidate Hafeni Mafita has refused to apologize over racial remarks he made on his Facebook page and accused the opposition party of throwing him under the bus. This comes as PDM expelled Mafita as a member of the party on Tuesday morning, with immediate effect. The opposition party has also withdrawn him as a candidate for the John Pandeni constituency in the upcoming elections for which he was set to contest. “I have not done anything wrong. This is revenge. I am not going to apologize before the man from…

04 Nov

CoW appoints Acting CEO

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek (CoW), George Mayumbelo

Andrew Kathindi The City of Windhoek (CoW) management committee has appointed its Human Capital and Corporate Services Executive, George Mayumbelo as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the city. "Yes, they appointed Mayumbelo as acting (CEO)," Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye told Windhoek Observer. This comes as former CEO Robert Kahimise has left the city’s employ after a rocky four years in charge. Robert Kahimise handed in his resignation earlier this year following a contentious relationship with councilors at the municipality. He also was engaged in many clashes with City Police Chief Abraham Kanime. The conflict between the two often…

04 Nov

Walvis Bay CEO blames banking error for ‘missing millions’

info_e12wt4csObserver 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

info_e12wt4csObserver 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…