Observer Money – Page 193

11 Sep

COVID crisis rocks Windhoek Central Prison

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Health Ministry, Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela

Andrew Kathindi A COVID-19 crisis has hit the Windhoek Central Prison, amidst allegations of shortage of medicine, isolation facilities and proper care of infected inmates. This dire situation according to an insider is alleged to have contributed to the death of one inmate, a death confirmed by the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS). Information made available to the Windhoek Observer alleges that many of the inmates that have contracted COVID-19 are not are left without being tested or provided with medical attention. “Some inmates are lucky get medication from their families from outside, but others, just have to wait. They are…

10 Sep

No voting day extension – ECN

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has ruled out the possibility of the upcoming regional council and local authority elections taking place over more than one day. This comes amid concerns that COVID-19 could impact on voting due to health and safety restrictions, with Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has urged the ECN to consider a new strategy which will allow more time for people to vote. “There are people calling us from the regions saying I'm afraid to even go and stand in the queue to register because I do not know if I am…

10 Sep

FIC flags N$17 billion worth suspicious transactions

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Leonie Dunn

Staff Writer Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) during its financial year ending year ended 31 March 2020 says it flagged transactions worth N$17 billion which it suspects to be proceeds of crime and are now subject to investigation by law enforcement agents. During the period under review, the centre, according to its annual report contributed to 84 investigations conducted by various law enforcement authorities. “The top five underlying predicate offenses investigated include fraud, corruption, poaching, dealing in drugs, illegal deposit taking/pyramid schemes and money laundering. Furthermore, investigations by these law enforcement agencies with assistance of the Office of the Prosecutor General…

10 Sep

Kayone admits Angolan voter registration . . . as church, ECN officials are fingered

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Swapo Omusati regional coordinator Sackey Kayone

Helena Johannes Swapo Omusati regional coordinator Sackey Kayone has confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that Angolan nationals are being registered to vote in Namibia. He said his office had received a report from Okalongo councilor’s office on Tuesday stating that church leaders together with individuals from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) are assisting Angolan nationals to get voting cards. “The story of Venaani is misleading because it is not the councilors who are involved in this issue, but these Angolans are being assisted by church representatives together with some individuals from ECN to get voting cards,” he told the…

09 Sep

Venaani rules out support for lockdown extension

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMcHenry Venaani, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, president Hage Geingob

Helena Johannes Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani has vowed that his party will not support any extension of the state of emergency, which President Hage Geingob instated earlier in the year. This comes as the President will require a two/third majority (66 members of the 95 voting members) to be able to extend the six month state of emergency which is set to lapse next week on 17 September. According to Venaani, his party will lobby other opposition parties against the extension of the state of emergency which will now require parliament approval. “The state of emergency and…

09 Sep

Tourism sector loses N$116m in cancellations . . . As Ministry announces amended arrival protocols

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia, Pohamba Shifeta, Tourism Ministry

Clifton Movirongo The Tourism Ministry has announced that the tourism industry has recorded net cancellations of N$115.7 million since the announcement of implementation protocols of the tourism revival initiative. This comes as Namibia recorded zero arrivals in the first week of its tourism initiative, which kicked off on 1 September. The Ministry has now announced amendments to its initial protocols in a bid to attract tourists to the country. According to Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta the revision, will allow some flexibilities to the implementation protocols, while balancing the necessary health and safety measures. “Upon arrival at the Hosea Kutako International…

09 Sep

Unions rip into Air Namibia over salary cuts

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Embraer

Andrew Kathindi Unions representing Air Namibia employees have hit back at plans by the airline’s management to cut salaries by 50 percent for workers that have not performed work due to its planes being grounded. According to letter in possession of the Windhoek Observer, Air Namibia Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Theo Mberirua, said the salary cuts have been necessitated by the airlines pre-COVID-19 financial situation and worsened by COVID-19. This, Mberirua stated, has got to the point that the airline “cannot, at this stage, continue operations without cash flow with which to pay critical creditors.” “The financial losses incurred…

08 Sep

Fishcor looks to cut ties with Seaflower Pelagic Processing

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Andrew Kathindi The National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) board led by Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II has threatened to terminate agreements entered into by the company, including its investment into Seaflower Pelagic Processing (SPP). The decision by the company comes after a damning judgment delivered by Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula in which it described SPP’s relationship with Fishcor as cozy and parasitic, while terms of their 15 year agreement was only going to be possible “under a corrupt environment.” “Having acknowledged judgment outcome and in full and unequivocal support of it, we wish to state that while the judgment…

08 Sep

Tourism initiative records zero arrivals . . . as sector raises practicality concerns

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFederation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA), Namibia, Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta

Clifton Movirongo Namibia has failed to record a single tourist arrival, a week after it opened its borders to tourist arrivals under the international tourism revival initiative. Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta said the industry was banking on the resumption of international flights into the country, with some airlines expected to resume on Friday. “Nothing has really happened in the first official week of the government’s tourism revival plan since the proclamation. However, about five airlines have confirmed that they are landing in Namibia within this month, with the first one scheduled for Friday, 11 September and more coming after that.”…

05 Sep

CDC dismisses clinical trial claims

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCenter for Disease Control (CDC), Covid-19, Remdesivir

Andrew Kathindi As the debate rages on, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has dismissed claims that Remdesivir, a drug being used to treat COVID-19 patients, is being used in Namibia on a clinical trial basis. This comes as the drug, which has been approved only on an emergency basis by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has divided opinions over its safety and the intentions of its circulation in the country, with some doctors claiming that the drug is under clinical trial to see if it can officially be registered for the treatment of COVID-19. “The FDA approval…