Observer Money – Page 200

09 Feb

Health Ministry scrambles after AstraZeneca vaccine failure

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAstraZeneca, COVAX, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is scrambling for answers after it emerged that the AstraZeneca vaccine, the same vaccine Namibia is expected to receive through the COVAX facility, is not as effective against the new variant of COVID-19. MOHSS Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, told Windhoek Observer that the ministry’s technical team is meeting urgently. AstraZeneca is manufactured by a British–Swedish pharmaceutical company. "My technical team is discussing the matter right now in the context of those developments. We will then issue a position and the way forward, based on the available information. We are dealing…

09 Feb

Eagle FM ordered to cease broadcasting in Windhoek

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCommunications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Eagle FM

Staff reporter Eagle FM has been barred from broadcasting in Windhoek after it was found in violation of its broadcasting license by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the Windhoek Observer can reveal. The development has seen listeners in Windhoek unable to access the talk radio station. In terms of its license, Eagle FM is only permitted to broadcast in Grootfontein, Ruacana, Eenhana, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Omuthiya, Mariental, Okahandja, Katima Mulilo, Oranjemund, Outapi, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, Swakopmund and Rehoboth. However the station has been illegally broadcasting in Windhoek. CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, confirmed to Windhoek Observer on Monday…

09 Feb

Hands-off Swapo, Geingob

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneySWAPO

Staff Writer Swapo Party regional coordinator for //Kharas and member of the Central Committee, Mathew Mumbala, says the Fishrot scandal is unfairly being used to destroy the ruling party and its leadership ahead of the 2024 elections. “As a party, we have over the years relied on donations and there is know where you can tell if it’s the result of any form of illegal activity. During the liberation struggle we also used to get donations to fund the acquisition of food, weapons and various materials,” he said. “The ruling party never instructed anyone to solicit funds from Fishcor, thus…

06 Feb

Transport permit corruption irks operators

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), Transport permit corruption, Werner Januarie

Maria Hamutenya Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) has accused the Ministry of Works and Transport of allowing the festering of rampant corruption in the issuance of transport permits. The taxi body has alleged the demand of kickbacks by officials issuing transport permits with 58 996 new applications having been approved since November 2004. About 2 500 permits have been issued all over Namibia between 1 January, 2020 and 31 January, 2021. “The corruption there is unquestionable, it’s not even a delay as people are trying to portray. You are just expected to pay somebody a bribe for your application…

05 Feb

Deal still on – Sisa

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Challenge Air, Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU), Public Enterprises ministry, Sisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Sisa Namandje maintains the contentious last minute deal struck between his client, Challenge Air and Air Namibia remains valid despite government distancing itself from the arrangement and the carrier’s board resigning en masse. “They must just pay as ordered by court. If they don’t pay, we will sell the planes and other things. The court order says that once they have not paid, we will execute immediately,” Namandje told Windhoek Observer. According to terms of the deal which was agreed upon by the Air Namibia board, the airline will move ahead to settle its N$182 million debt,…

04 Feb

No plans for ivermectin COVID-19 treatment

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Staff Reporter The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) has no plans to use the ivermectin drug, stating that there is not enough evidence to its effectiveness. The drug was approved for limited use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, and by the Zimbabwean government. “In Namibia it is not registered for human use. There is always excitement when any drug is believed to be beneficial in treating COVID-19. We are familiar with the history of hydroxychloroquine. There was hype about it and many others and Ivermectin is just joining the long list of those types of…

04 Feb

Air Namibia board resigns …accuses shareholder of governance violations

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Escher Luanda, Heritha Muyoba, Leon Jooste, Ministry of Public Enterprises, Willy Mertens

Staff Writer The Air Namibia board resigned en masse on Wednesday after writing a scathing letter, accusing government of corporate governance violations in its dealing with the airline. First to hand in his resignation was Willy Mertens, who is reported to have resigned on Monday, after the airline on Friday had entered into a settlement agreement with Belgian company, Challenge Air whom it owed for a 1998 airplane lease agreement. Air Namibia board Chairperson, Escher Luanda, and Heritha Muyoba are reported to have tendered their resignations on Wednesday, a position confirmed by Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste, with the status…

03 Feb

President denies systematic corruption in Namibia

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob insists corruption in Namibia is not a systemic problem, but rather a result of some corrupt officials. The President remarked at the official opening of Cabinet this year. “I believe that corruption is not systemic in Namibia, but perceptions have been created that Namibia is a corrupt society. Although corruption is not systemic in Namibia, we recognise that some corrupt officials have tainted the name of our country. It is therefore important for all citizens to emphasise that corruption in any form, e.g. kickbacks, or percentage commission for the amount of a contract, is unacceptable,”…

03 Feb

Theft tops Namibia’s crime offences…as murder and rape remain a concern

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibian Correctional Service

Andrew Kathindi Theft and traffic fines top criminal offenses committed countrywide since last March, the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) has revealed. Altogether 524 theft offences were committed by inmates admitted into correctional facilities from March 2020- January 2021, while 345 traffic offenses were committed during the period under review. “It is interesting to note that theft (which is classified as an economic offence) was the most common offence with 524 offenders incarcerated for that offence,” Commissioner Meunajo Tjiroze, Directorate Reintegration in the NCS told Windhoek Observer. She added, “The second most occurring offence is stock theft (which is classified as…

02 Feb

CoW moves against colonial statues, street names

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, CoW Mayor Job Amupanda

Maria Hamutenya City of Windhoek (CoW) is next week set to deliberate on the removal of the Kurt von Francois statue and the changing of colonial street names in the capital. The move comes amid calls for statue removal and name change in some of the city roads, with current CoW Mayor, Job Amupanda having led the charge, calling for the Kurt von Francois statue to be replaced by human rights activist Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda. “The changing of street names still has to go to council for a decision. It was elaborated on at a management committee meeting and yes…