Observer Money

Law Society appeals Sisa judgement …as divisions rock LSN

Law Society appeals Sisa judgement …as divisions rock LSN

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Sisa Namandje’s victory at the High Court last month could be short lived after the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court. This comes after Judge Herman Oosthuizen, last month dismissed with costs the LSN’s application to probe the financial records of Namandje over his alleged involvement in the Fishrot saga. Uno Katjipuka, who represented the LSN in the court case confirmed the development to Windhoek Observer. “We filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court on 15 September,” she said. The appeal comes amid calls for conflicted LSN councilors to…
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Health ministry advises northerners

Health ministry advises northerners

Andrew Kathindi As COVID-19 cases in the northern parts of the country continue to rise, there is increased concern from residents. The health ministry has warned northerners not rush to swabbing sites to get tested for the pandemic. This comes after the state’s Robert Mugabe Clinic, where COVID-19 testing was predominantly collected in Windhoek, was overwhelmed. This presented a public health concern as long queues and little social distancing was observed. “People in the north should not flock to swabbing places. Our team will be the one that does the swabbing so the community should be advised by the health…
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Security cluster operations make a come-back

Security cluster operations make a come-back

Helena Johannes Security cluster operations will return to Windhoek amid outrage over a spate of gruesome crimes reported over the past few days. City Police Chief Abraham Kanime said the police unit had engaged with other stakeholders such as the Namibian police and the Namibia Defense Force to ensure that safety and security procedures are a priority in and around Windhoek. “We met on Saturday to re-check our strategy on how we are going to enforce the operation,” he said. This comes as there has been a significant increase in serious crimes in the area. In the latest incident, an…
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Shivute officially appointed NamRa boss

Shivute officially appointed NamRa boss

Staff Writer Sam Shivute has officially been appointed as the inaugural Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) with effect from the 28th of September after cabinet chaired by President Hage Geingob approved his appointment. The development has resulted in Shivute resigning from the Bank of Namibia, where has held various positions since he joined in 2003 and with a farewell event was held in his honor on Wednesday. As head of NamRa, Shivute reports directly to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi and the NamRA board of directors. Shuvute and Shiimi are former collogues at the central bank where the Finance…
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Fishcor resolves to change ‘tainted’ name

Fishcor resolves to change ‘tainted’ name

Andrew Kathindi The newly appointed Fishcor Board has resolved to change the company’s name as it continues to be used at the forefront of the Fishrot scandal. Fishcor was allegedly used to illegally funnel millions out of the fishing industry. These actions were done by its accused former board chairman and CEO, James Hatuikulipi and Mike Nghipunya in a web that is believed to be wide-reaching. Hatuikulipi, Nghipunya along with several others known as the Fishrot seven, including former Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau and former Justice Minister, Sackey Shanghala, are currently in prison while awaiting trial on various related charges.…
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Finance ministry struggles with ITAS registration

Finance ministry struggles with ITAS registration

Helena Johannes The Ministry of Finance has only managed to register 24 percent out of its 90 percent target of registered tax payers for its Integrated Tax Administrative System (ITAS), Windhoek Observer can reveal. According to the Ministry only 98,959 out of 369,509 taxpayers have registered through ITAS. Demographically the registrations are: Windhoek (27 percent), Walvis Bay 23,490 out of 103,998 (23 percent), Oshakati 17,199 out of 102,524 (17 percent), Otjiwarongo 12,031 out of 55,794 (22 percent), Keetmanshoop 11,319 out of 49,870 (23 percent), Katima Mulilo 4,037 out of 12,971 (31 percent) and Rundu 3,980 out of 28,491 (14 percent).…
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69 apply for NSFAF tender

69 apply for NSFAF tender

Helena Johannes Nearly 70 companies have applied for a tender to provide students with laptops valued at N$6,000 per unit, Namibia Students Financial Aid Fund (NSFAF) acting CEO Kennedy Kandume announced on Thursday. The Ministry of Higher Education according to fund, will pay 50 percent of the total amount for each laptop while students will be required to pay the other 50 percent which is equivalent to N$3000. “NSFAF received 69 applications to carry on the tender of student laptops. The laptop will come with a 10GB connectivity device which costs N$690,” Kandume said. He added that students will also…
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Venaani hits back at SWAPO over Zim motion

Venaani hits back at SWAPO over Zim motion

Clifton Movirongo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani has hit back at the ruling party’s decision to vote down a parliamentary motion tabled by his party on the current “crisis” in Zimbabwe, even before the motion was motivated. “To us, it is a greatest act of cowardice and in a gross disregard of the plight of the people of Zimbabwe. While I do respect and abide to the majoritarian rule tenet that applies to constitutional democracies such as ours, we also do not condone majoritarian rule that defies logic,” Venaani said. The PDM leader hints that instability in Zimbabwe…
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State of emergency comes to an end

State of emergency comes to an end

Andrew Kathindi The six-month state of emergency which was put in place in March, and lapses at midnight on Thursday 17 September, will not be extended, President Hage Geingob has announced. This comes as it emerged that Geingob did not have the legal power to make an extension without making overtures to the opposition as the move will require parliamentary approval. The President, however, said his government had assessed and weighed both the positive and negative impacts of the regulations and considered the additional capacity created during the six-month period, which led to the decision. “This is a defining moment…
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Agribusdev boss found dead

Agribusdev boss found dead

Staff Writer Suspended Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) Managing Director, Petrus Uugwanga was found dead on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. According to the Police, Uugwanga’s body was found in Otjimuise with a gunshot wound to the chest. A pump action shotgun found lying few meters from the body. “The body was lying next to a Grey Amarok Volswagen D/Cab which is registered in the name of the deceased,” Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said. “The motive is not known and there was no suicide note left behind. The deceased was an employee of Agricultural Business Development (AgriBusDev). His…
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