Observer Money – Page 191 – Windhoek Observer

19 Aug

Government to honor bonuses

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Government

Andrew Kathindi Public service workers will breathe a sigh of relief as government stated that it still plans to honour birthday bonuses for its employees despite revenue pressures intensified by COVID-19. Despite hundreds of private sector workers being retrenched on a monthly basis due to economic pressures, with many companies cancelling the 13th cheque as part of cost containment measures, government maintains it will continue to pay bonuses to its employees. “The pay structure of government employees did not change, all conditions of employment, as per the contract of employment each employee has signed with their respective employer, remain applicable…

19 Aug

Corona hits Windhoek Central Prison . . . As 120 inmates are quarantined

ObserverObserver MoneyCorona, Covid-19, NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, Windhoek Central Prison

Katrina Andreas The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it has no plans to decongest its prisons after 12 inmates from the Windhoek Central Prison tested positive for COVID-19. The Windhoek Observer can reveal that 122 inmates and 14 prison officers were tested for Covid-19 a week ago and the results confirmed 13 positive cases, of which 12 are inmates. NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela stated that there will be no further release of non-serious offenders for the purpose of decongestion to allow social distancing within the correctional facilities. This is because there are no more petty offenders after President Hage…

19 Aug

Sisa case has merit – LSN lawyer . . . as pressure mounts on conflicted lawyers

ObserverObserver MoneyLaw Society of Namibia, LSN, Sisa Namandje, Uno Katjipuka

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Uno Katjipuka, who unsuccessfully argued the Law Society of Namibia’s (LSN) case to have Sisa Namandje’s books opened, has said that Judge Herman Oosthuizen’s ruling was not made on the merits of the case. This comes as Judge Oosthuizen, on Friday, dismissed with costs the LSN’s application to probe Namandje’s law firm’s books to investigate his possible involvement in the Fishrot saga. Katjipuka told Windhoek Observer that the Judge’s ruling is unfortunate but not surprising. “I guess we saw it coming.” “He just dealt with whether or not the Director of the LSN was properly authorized to…

18 Aug

Otjomuise targeted for Corona decongestion

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Otjomuise, Windhoek Mayor Fransina Kahungu

Andrew Kathindi The City of Windhoek has identified land in Otjomuise which will likely be used as a COVID-19 decongestion location, amidst rising numbers of confirmed cases in the capital city, Windhoek Mayor Fransina Kahungu has revealed. This comes as President Hage Geingob last week gave directives to decongest densely populated informal settlements where community transmission continues to skyrocket. Kahungu told Windhoek Observer that the city started with preparations and that informal discussions at the City of Windhoek where conducted. Formal meetings will continue at management committee level on Tuesday 18 August. “I can be specific that the place that…

18 Aug

EIG to cost Gvt N$210m more

ObserverObserver MoneyEmergency Income Grant (EIG), Ministry of Finance

Staff Writer The Ministry of Finance has added an additional N$210 million to its initial budget of N$562 million, budgeted for disbursement under the Emergency Income Grant (EIG), a once-off N$750 cash payment per qualifying person, on the basis of meeting a set of criteria. To date according to figures from the Ministry of Finance, 765,452 beneficiaries have already received payment under the scheme launched in April by government to aid those who have lost jobs or income, as a result of COVID-19 from an initial estimate of 739,000 Namibians. “As we speak 765, 452 have received their grant already.…

14 Aug

NUST still hunting for VC

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Vice-Chancellor

Andrew Kathindi The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is yet to appoint a substantive Vice-Chancellor over a year after long-serving Vice-Chancellor, Tjama Tjivikua stepped down. The University Council, which is chaired by Florette Nakusera and appointed by Higher Education Minister Itah Kandji-Murangi in November last year to serve until 2022, is yet to find a suitable candidate. In May this year, Dr Andrew Niikondo was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a period of six months or until a substantial Vice Chancellor is appointed by council. He replaced Morné du Toit, after his term lapsed. Du Toit serves on…

14 Aug

Travel ban hits Air Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Covid-19

Andrew Kathindi The grounding of Air Namibia flights amid the recently imposed national travel ban is set to hit the national carrier’s falling revenues, thus impact its turnaround strategy. Domestic travel was reintroduced in the country on 4 May following the initial State of Emergency proclamation by President Hage Geingob. Earlier this week however, following fears of rising cases of COVID-19, the President declared domestic travel restrictions. “As Air Namibia is involved in the business of transporting passengers and cargo, the temporary suspension of all domestic flights has a detrimental effect on the airline’s already difficult cash flow position, considering…

14 Aug

Law Society loses Sisa Namandje case

ObserverObserver MoneyJudge Herman Oosthuizen, Law Society of Namibia’s (LSN), Sisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Judge Herman Oosthuizen on Friday dismissed the Law Society of Namibia’s (LSN) application to probe the financial records of lawyer Sisa Namandje’s law firm as part of its investigation into his connections to the Fishrot saga. Judge Oosthuizen, however, found that the application was not properly and lawfully authorized. In his judgment delivered via Zoom, Judge Oosthuizen ordered the LSN to pay the costs, which include the costs of one instructing and two instructed counsel. “I am seriously concerned by the modus operandi followed by the LSN as the regulating body of all enrolled legal practitioners in Namibia…

14 Aug

NAMDIA joins MTC in the fight against homelessness

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Knockout Project 2020, MTC, NAMDIA

Staff Writer NAMDIA, through The NAMDIA Foundation has pledged to stand together with the nation in the fight against COVID 19. As part of the company’s continuing commitment and efforts, it partnered up with MTC in the Knockout Project 2020. The project’s goal is to raise N$ 1.5 million aimed at addressing and tackling one of our country’s growing social ills, homelessness. “The outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses and imbalances of our society, with the vulnerable being most at risk and most adversely effected.We are thrilled to be endorsing one of Namibia’s most prominent media…

14 Aug

CoW executive suspended

ObserverObserver MoneyChinese, City of Windhoek, Huawei, Reckliff Kandjiriomuini

Staff Writer City of Windhoek Executive in charge of Information & Communication Technology, Reckliff Kandjiriomuini has been placed on suspension by the municipality following allegations of corruption leveled against him. Kandjiriomuini according to media reports, is alleged to have offered Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) Secretary general and City of Windhoek councilor, Brunhilde Cornelius a N$5-6 million bribe through a fellow party member, Nicanor Ndjoze for her to stop opposing the city’s plan to sign an MoU with Chinese tech giant Huawei to implement its 5G network. City of Windhoek Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise confirmed the suspension. “He…