Normal rainfall expected

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Normal rainfall expected Namibia can expect to receive normal rainfall over the next three months according to the Meteorological Services of Namibia. In the Zambezi Region, above-average rainfall is expected.

“During the January, February and March period, most parts of the country can expect a 25% probability in the above-normal category, a 40% probability in the normal category and 35% probability in the below-normal rainfall category, while within the Zambezi region, there is a 35% probability in the above-normal rainfall category, a 40% probability in the normal category and 25% probability in the category of below- normal rainfall,” the report noted.

Namibia last year experienced its worst drought since 1930.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, said in October last year that the Namibian economy had been severely affected by an economic downturn for more than two years.

Katjavivi added that there was a need to find ways to deal with natural calamities as more than 60% of the population depended directly or indirectly on agriculture, forestry and freshwater fishery.

Good rainfall is also expected in the other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

“During this same period, normal to above-normal rainfall is expected for most parts of the Southern African region. However, the eastern half of Tanzania, eastern half of Botswana, the western-most parts of Namibia, the bulk of South Africa, the bulk of Mozambique, southern Malawi, eastern Lesotho, central Zambia, the southernmost tips of Madagascar, south-western Angola, eSwatini and Zimbabwe are more likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall amounts,” the report added.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Bank Windhoek ranked best bank

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Bank Windhoek ranked best bankOvertakes FNB in PSG review Bank Windhoek has overtaken FNB as the best bank in Namibia with a top performance in the categories of cost efficiency and credit risk. Bank Windhoek has been rated as the best Namibian bank by stockbroking firm PSG in their annual Banking Review report, occupying the spot for the first time and surpassing FNB Namibia.

In awarding the top honours to the bank, PSG said it had taken note of Bank Windhoek's low operating costs compared to other banks operating in Namibia.

“Bank Windhoek has overtaken FNB as the best bank in Namibia. They performed best in the categories of cost efficiency and credit risk. It is very important to note that the difference between the banks has shrunk considerably over the last three years.

“In 2014 the best ranked bank, FNB, had a weighted rating of 1.3 and the worst, Standard Bank, was at 3.4, a spread of 21 points. In 2019, the best bank, Bank Windhoek, has a weighted rating of 2.2 and Nedbank, the lowest ranked, is at 2.8, which is a difference of only 6 points.

“In our ranking of the Namibian banks, Bank Windhoek Limited has taken the top spot for the first time. They performed best in the cost efficiency and credit risk categories with low credit losses, low operating cost growth rates and good asset growth as compared to operating expenditure over five years,” PSG said.

In the profitability rankings, FNB came out tops followed by Standard Bank, which listed on the Namibia Stock Exchange last year.

“Looking at the rankings in terms of profitability, it shows that FNB was ranked first with Standard Bank in second place, with FNB's poor earnings per share growth rate being made up for by better return on assets, return on equity and net interest margin,” PSG said.

In terms of loans granted to customers, Standard Bank ranked better than other banks.

“In the advances category, Standard Bank is ranked first again due to faster growth over the last three years. In terms of cost efficiency, Standard Bank lags due to their significantly higher cost-to-income ratio and FNB still pays for operating expenditure growth outpacing asset growth over five years.

“This reversed in the last year, and it will be interesting to watch this number in our next report.”

In assessing the banks, PSG said that while profitability was an important factor for the banks under review, the efficient provision of financial services through banks is also critical, especially for a country's economic growth and development.

“A stable and efficient banking system is vital to provide financial services while having the capability of absorbing unforeseen shocks through effective risk, credit and liquidity management.

“While this study addresses profitability, more importantly, it enables us to measure the bank's overall performance and soundness by identifying their strengths and weaknesses in terms of other metrics such as liquidity and credit risk policies,” it said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Education authorities assess fire damage

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Education authorities assess fire damageSinzogoro classrooms a total loss A block of five classrooms at Sinzogoro Senior Primary School in Kavango West will have to be demolished and rebuilt. KENYA KAMBOWE



The Kavango West Education directorate is looking at all possible ways of rebuilding the Sinzogoro Senior Primary School five-classroom block that was destroyed by fire two weeks ago.

The Kavango West education director, Teopolina Hamutumwa told Namibian Sun that the directorate was engaging a number of stakeholders in order to address the issue as soon as possible.

“We are trying to see how best we can deal with the matter. We have started engaging different stakeholders, in fact we have started with the procurement process as we are busy assessing the damage caused,” Hamutumwa said.

The incident happened in the early hours of 20 December when villagers saw smoke coming from the school and alerted the school management.

The school is situated at Sinzogoro village, about 30 kilometres West of Rundu.

The roofing, classroom furniture, windows, doors and electrical wiring were destroyed in the fire.

Attempts to get comment from the school principal, Joseph Sikongo, proved futile as his phone was unreachable and he did not respond to a text message.

When Sikongo was interviewed by the NBC on the day of the incident, he said he suspected the fire had been caused by an electrical fault.

He said he had reported a problem with the wiring to the regional education directorate and the works and transport ministry but nothing was done.

“This situation has been reported through the directorate of education and through the ministry of works and transport; they know about this situation. Actually the electrical cable is not well because sometimes it goes on and sometimes off,” Sikongo told the national broadcaster.

When asked about this, Hamutumwa said the fault might have been reported but the complaint never reached her office.

Hamutumwa said a forensic investigation would have to identify the cause of the fire and until then, it was just speculation to blame it on the wiring.

The school offers classes from grade one to eight and has about 500 learners.

That number was expected to increase next year because of the introduction of grade nine, and the loss of five classrooms is a heavy blow for the school.

Hamutumwa said temporary structures, including tents, would be used until the building can be replaced.

She said the fire damage is so severe that the entire building would have to be demolished.

Stabbings, stock theft dominate crime report

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Stabbings, stock theft dominate crime report A 35-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing another man in the neck with a broken wine glass at a shebeen at Fransfontein settlement on Friday night.

The victim was rushed to Khorixas State Hospital and thereafter transferred to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for medical treatment.

The suspect is known but not yet arrested, while the victim is reported to be in a stable condition.

In another incident, a woman was arrested on Saturday in connection with the death of Kalenga Kalihonda Matheus (42) at Tuhingireni in the Rundu district.

She allegedly beat Matheus with an unknown object and he later succumbed to his injuries.

On Thursday evening at Nkwizu, a farm in the Kavango East Region, a 27-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen, causing his intestines to protrude. The suspect fled the scene the same night and he is still at large. The victim was admitted to the Rundu State Hospital. Police investigations continue.

In a different matter, a 39-year-old man was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of 18 stolen goats and one carcass on Saturday morning at Okolo village near Tsintsabis.

It is further alleged that 26 goats had gone missing at a farm in the area on 6 December.

The accused appeared before the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court on Monday and police investigations continue.

In another case, two men aged 25 and 26 year were arrested after they were caught leading a Brahman bull from one grazing area to another.

The incident occurred last week Wednesday at Springbok Municipality Camp in the Karibib district. The bull was recovered. The suspects appeared before court at Karibib on Monday and the police investigation continues.

NAMPA

Chinese national robbed of N$40 000

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Chinese national robbed of N$40 000 A Chinese woman (45) was allegedly robbed of N$40 000 in cash, a passport and a cellphone at a shop at Ongha settlement in the Ohangwena Region on Friday afternoon.

The police say the woman was robbed at knifepoint by two male suspects who demanded her handbag. “The suspects took the bag, jumped into a getaway car and drove off,” the police said.

In a similar incident in Windhoek, a 31-year-old taxi driver was robbed by four passengers in Visarend Street, Otjomuise, on Friday.

The driver was transporting the suspects from the Katutura Single Quarters to Hochland Park when they pulled out a handgun and knives. They threatened the driver and robbed him of his taxi, cash, a cellphone and his personal documents. The stolen taxi was found abandoned in Academia on Saturday morning, with the battery stolen and the taxi identification numbers C39 scratched off.

No arrests have been made yet and police investigations continue.

At Stampriet in the Hardap Region, burglars struck at four flats and stole goods with a total value of N$26 800 between 20 and 26 December.

Two suspects aged 15 and 20 years were arrested and some of the stolen items were recovered.

In another robbery, a man was shot in the shoulder at Brakwater north of Windhoek on Sunday night.

According to the police report, six suspects arrived at the business premises of the company Air Cooler, pretending to be lost and looking for directions.

After giving them directions, the victim called his neighbour and warned him that there were suspicious people in the area. “Seconds later, a shot was fired into the room via the corrugated iron which hit the victim in the shoulder. The suspects broke into the room, assaulted the victim with a pistol in the face and later ran away when the neighbour arrived at the scene,” the police report reads.

The suspects made off with two cellphones and house keys.

The victim (55) was admitted to the Katutura State Hospital in a stable condition. No arrests have been made yet.

NAMPA

Ondjadjaxwi man to be exhumed after 56 years

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Ondjadjaxwi man to be exhumed after 56 years The Ohangwena Regional Court has granted permission to the family of the late Simion Haufiku Shomwele to exhume his remains and rebury him, 56 years after his initial burial.

According to Hendrina Nabot, one of Shomwele's remaining children, the family wants to have a dignified burial of her late father at the Ondjadjaxwi cemetery.

Nabot said her father, a former priest at Ondjadjaxwi, was murdered while on his way from one of the synagogues in the area and was buried in the bush in 1965.

The exhumation was scheduled to take place yesterday and the reburial is slated for today. There will be a memorial service today at the late Shomwele's homestead at Odjadjaxwi.

“When our father died we the children were young.

After growing up, our wish has been always to elect a tombstone at his grave, but we couldn't because the grave is just in the bush.

We then started engaging authorities requesting them permission to exhume the remains and rebury him,” said Nabot.

“We get support from the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority (OTA) and the community of Ohangwena that led to the judiciary to grant us permission to exhumed and give our father a dignified burial.”

In a letter dated 3 December, Ohangwena Regional Magistrate Leopold Hangalo granted permission to the family to relocate Shomwele's burial site.

“Having read the OTA letter dated 17 July 2019, permission is hereby granted in terms of the provision of Section 2 of Burial Place Ordinance 27 of 1966, to remove and relocate the remains of the late Shomwele for the purpose of reburial,” wrote Hangalo.

Shomwele is survived by three of his nine children. His widow died in January last year.

ILENI NANDJATO

'No qualified person' to replace Shimbulu

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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'No qualified person' to replace Shimbulu The Swapo regional leadership will next week decide the fate of the two Oshakati town councillors, Onesmus Shilunga and Gabriel Kamwanka, who boycotted the council's election of political office-bearers in December.

The boycott was in protest of the Swapo's Oshakati East and West district executive's decision to bring Katrina Shimbulu back into the council. Shimbulu had resigned in October in compliance with Article 47 of the Namibian constitution when she accepted nomination for the National Assembly elections.

Swapo performed poorly in the election, losing its two-thirds majority, and Shimbulu did not make the cut. She then returned to the local council despite having resigned.

Swapo regional coordinator Samuel Nelongo this week told Namibian Sun that the party had decided to bring Shimbulu back because there was no skilful person to replace her.

Nelongo said the two councillors might lose their positions if the party found that their reasons to boycott the vote were “not sound”.

Kamwanka had chaired the council's management committee for seven years, from 2011 to 2018, while Shilunga is a former mayor.

“When this happened I was not in the region and I did not get time to hear from the two councillors. We have to listen to their boycotting reasons and weigh if they hold water or not.

Then the party will take a decision accordingly. We will resume duty next week Monday and this issue will be resolved,” Nelongo said.

“If their reasoning does hold water, then as a regional office we will facilitate to attended to their concerns; however, if their reasons does not hold any water the Oshakati East and West district executive ... will solve this problem.”

Nelongo said party directives must be followed and respected.

Oshakati town council CEO Werner Iita had also resigned after accepting nomination for parliament.

Nelongo said the party has the power to deploy cadres to serve in local authorities depending on the skills presented in their CVs and in Shimbulu's case the party realised that there was no competent person to replace her.

“The two district executive decided to return Shimbulu and it is appropriate because based on the skills and expertise required, there was no suitable person to replace her,” said Nelongo.

He said if Shimbulu had made it to parliament, the party would have chosen someone from elsewhere to replace her.

There is also talk that Iita is likely to return as the town CEO. Sources say he was supposed to resume duty this week but it was postponed because the council has to sit first. Mayor Angelius Iyambo said acting council CEO Kornelius Kapolo's term would expire at the end of February.

ILENI NANDJATO

Better home loans for public servants

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Better home loans for public servantsLower interest, larger loans The government has reduced the interest rate on home loans for civil servants to 11.25%, which means that they qualify for larger loans. Public servants will have a reason to smile after the government lowered the interest rate on home loans under its Home Owners Scheme for staff members qualifying for a housing subsidy.

An internal circular issued by Tuyakula Haipinge, the deputy executive director in the office of the prime minister, stated that the interest rate would be adjusted to 11.25%, which would increase the maximum qualifying loan amount from N$720 000 to N$792 000.

Haipinge said the notice was already implemented in November 2019. According to the circular, the prevailing interest rate for home loans was fixed at 11.50% in 2016.

“This is not a salary package. It is applicable on the housing subsidy. It is for those that participated in the housing scheme,” she said.

According to Haipinge, this was done to bring the subsidy up to par with the interest rate charged by commercial banks.

The mortgage lending rate decreased from 11.50% to 11.25% in August 2019. At the time, Development Bank of Namibia chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi was quoted as saying when the interest rate is reduced, it leads to more profit for the enterprise.

“A reduction in the interest rate charged on loans means borrowers pay a little less than before. Such cash savings can then be used to expand business operations,” he said.

Namibian National Teachers Union (Nantu) secretary-general Loide Shaanika said the adjustment would lessen the burden on public servants with home loans.

jemima@namibiansun.com

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To 2020!

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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To 2020! The year 2019 has come and gone. The brand new year, 2020, is upon us amid hope and aspirations by the nation and by individual members of society.

The year 2019 was one of significant change in Namibia, witnessed in various manifestations of our republican life, including the November elections.

It is pleasing to see that the nation, especially its younger members, has awoken to the realities of accountability. Rather than just selfies and Instagram photos in swimwear, young Namibians have become increasingly conscious about their socioeconomic and geopolitical surroundings.

A lot of that increased awareness surfaced in 2019, a terrible year in many aspects nationally but which proved to provide heightened attentiveness among the youth.

We have witnessed, especially within the urban youth populations, a burning desire to transform our country into one that cares for all its inhabitants regardless of race, colour, creed, or gender.

For way too long, the political elite have capitalised on the general ignorance and disinterest of the youth in national affairs. It was not until the current recession has started affecting student funding by NSFAF and youth-owned start-ups that the young people started paying attention to details of how nations are run.

We are facing many challenges as we start this new year. But while politicians are in charge of running the daily affairs of the country, the common man must not forget his role in helping making Namibia a better place.

It is not government’s responsibility to dictate our daily behaviours. When a man physically abuses his wife or a boyfriend kills his girlfriend, it is those individuals who make take responsibility – not politicians.

When young people spend the lion’s share of their time abusing drugs or alcohol, it is their own doing and not government’s. Becoming responsible citizens is an individual’s patriotic duty.

The year 2020 must see a continuation in the general awareness by all and sundry that this country needs all of us. Politicians, as elected officials, must come to the party and the rest of us must put shoulder to the wheel. That’s how nations win.

New Year off to murderous start

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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New Year off to murderous startFive stabbed to death The first day of 2020 was marred by the violent deaths of five people, as well as several suicides. New Year's Day got off to a bad start when a 30-year-old man, identified as Dino Vrieslaar, was stabbed to death by a female suspect in Dolam, Katutura.

Vrieslaar confronted the suspect, who had allegedly robbed his brother of N$40. He was stabbed in the neck and the chest and died on the spot. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

On New Year's Eve around 06:00 near Kuvukiland location in Tsumeb, the lifeless body of Elizabeth Garises was discovered in the bushes.

It is alleged that Garises was last seen at Jealous Bar and later was seen being assaulted by her boyfriend. The suspect fled the scene and police investigations into the matter continue.

At Otjiwarongo, the body of Arnold Gaoseb (24) was discovered between Heroes Park and Ombili location. He had been stabbed to death. No arrest has been made yet. In Windhoek's Havana informal settlement, a 29-year-old man kicked down the door of the shack in which his girlfriend lived and stabbed her to death with a knife. The suspect fled the scene but later turned himself in at the Wanaheda police station. The deceased has been identified as Aina Negonga (29).

The body of a 24-year-old man was found behind the Freedom Park residential area in Otjiwarongo on Wednesday with a stab wound in the chest.

The police spokesperson in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, said the body of Arnold Wimpie !Gaoseb was found by a passer-by around 07:00 on New Year's Day. No arrest has been made so far.

A case of attempted murder was reported at Tsandi on New Year's Day after a 33-year-old suspect used a machete to hack a 30-year-old victim multiple times. The victim sustained serious injuries.

The body of Ajay Allistar McNab (22) was found hanging from the old water tank near Swakopmund Airport on New Year's Day. No foul play is suspected at this stage. No suicide note was found.

Another suspected suicide was reported in Havana, where the body of Levi Kalitheni Kadhila (24) was found hanging from the roof of his shack.

On the same day at Omakuku village, it is alleged that Nangolo Titus (61) hanged himself with a rope in his bedroom. No suicide note was left.

Cattle herder Heliaser Nghipundjwa (20) drowned in the Katumale earthen dam at Onawa village on New Year's Day. His body was recovered by police divers.

At Omuthiya, a 45-year-old man was struck by lightning while putting cattle into a kraal. The deceased was employed as a cattle herder.

One rape case was reported at Okahao on New Year's Eve. An 18-year-old woman was dragged to the Okahulo Sport Field and raped by two men aged 17 and 18. Two suspects were arrested and appeared in court yesterday.

On New Year's Eve burglars broke into a house in Klein Windhoek and stole six rhino horns that were kept in a suitcase on the ceiling. The horns are valued at N$600 000. No arrest or recovery has been made yet.

Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said the home owner kept white rhino on his farm and had a permit for the rhino horns.

OGONE TLHAGE

Cabinet downsizing welcomed

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Cabinet downsizing welcomedAs Geingob moves to cut the fat Analysts say the move is not the ultimate solution to the ballooning public wage bill, but the president had to start somewhere. JEMIMA BEUKES



Analysts have welcomed President Hage Geingob’s promise of a leaner cabinet from March this year, but hastened to caution that the move is not the panacea to government’s alarming wage bill.

Geingob made the announcement of a learner cabinet in his New Year’s message to the nation this week.

The president gave a hint earlier last year that he would downsize his cabinet, in part to contain the public wage bill.

Speaking to New Era in an interview in March 2019, Geingob remarked: “The biggest elephant in the room is the government wage bill. Something has to be done. It’s not affordable – it takes up close to 60 percent of the national budget. It’s the one area government must tackle. Also, cabinet is too big.”

He continued: “When you are a new man coming in, a younger one, a peer group, it’s always difficult. President Nujoma had authority of a founding father and liberation hero. He enjoyed respect and authority. When President Pohamba came in, you could see the difference. It’s going more and more relaxed. With me, I took over at a time when anyone from my peer group could have taken over. And therefore pressure was more on me. What we did was to create a bit of balance in how you create cabinet to accommodate [people]. If you have excluded people it could’ve been worse. But this is no more affordable. One way to cut down on the wage bill is to look at cabinet.”

In his New Year’s address, Geingob promised to cut his bloated cabinet and pledged to make it more gender balanced.

“I made it clear during the final cabinet meeting of 2019 that we can no longer conduct business as usual. The size of cabinet shall be reduced and an attempt at 50/50 representation shall be made. Persistent lack of implementation of government policies and programs cannot continue any longer,” he said.

Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said the real test is in the type of people the president will appoint, their knowledge, skills and merit, to his cabinet.

“This shows that, finally, the president heard the public outcry against his bloated government. [But] failure to appoint the right people would make the whole trimming exercise a mockery,” Kamwanyah said.

There are concerns that Geingob’s plan to reduce his cabinet could be a ploy to get rid of his perceived detractors in government.

Kamwanyah said: “As long as the president will use merit, as opposed to politics, in his selection processes, then he is safe.”

A prominent source within the ruling party Swapo conceded that reducing the cabinet was long overdue and a good thing, but dismissed Geingob’s announcement as a ‘mind game’.

According to this source, Geingob must remember that reducing the cabinet was not part of the party’s manifesto which brought him to power.

“I wonder what Swapo supporters will make of this because they expect him to start fulfilling the promises made in the manifesto. Besides, the bloated cabinet was created by him. Between 1990 and late 2000 there were fewer ministries. It is not an emergency. He created this mess. He must instead focus on the manifesto,” the source said.

Political commentator Henning Melber, on the other hand, thinks these suspicions are prematurely articulated but certainly express a not too farfetched concern.

“We should give Geingob the time and opportunity to make the changes, including the appointment of the eight non-voting MPs. Both will be indicators.”

He added: “But we should comment on facts, not on assumptions. It certainly will be interesting to see how Geingob responds to the challenges posed by independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula during election time and the election results, which showed the rift in the party.”

Melber however believes that if Geingob is true to his yew year’s remarks on mutual respect and to "agree to disagree" without "denigration of “our brothers and sisters" that he should resist the temptation.

“As a matter of fact, announcing the trimming of Cabinet is a step in the right direction and one which has also been demanded by the opposition and not least Itula, so one could also welcome the announcement and wait with any further comments before crying foul play,” he advised.

Melber also said Geingob should also not only "attempt" a 50/50 representation in Cabinet but make it a reality as well as including a few younger and more qualified people based on competence and professional merits.

The Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) Henny Seibeb emphasised that the agenda for the next five years must be how to rebuild the Namibian economy, create jobs, and not about Swapo's internal factional fights.

“It is a prerogative of Geingob to appoint whoever he chooses to appoint. He doesn't necessarily even need to choose his cabinet from Swapo parliamentarians only. Factionalists in Swapo must not cry crocodile tears.”

Geingob’s bloated cabinet has come under a lot of scrutiny over the last five years.

jemima@namibiansun.com

Family of four killed in hit-and-run

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Family of four killed in hit-and-run Police in the Kavango East Region are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a family of four from Rundu were killed on Monday night when a car hit them while crossing the road.

According to the police report, the incident happened along the B8 Trans-Caprivi highway at Rundu's Ndama location at around 21:00.

Three of the victims, Petrus Kongo Haingura (44), Muhafereni Patricia Musinga Haingura (38) and Belindine Kasiku Haingura (1) died on the spot while Phillip Poroto Haingura (5) died of his injuries at the Rundu State Hospital.

“It is alleged that the driver of motor vehicle was travelling from eastern to western direction when he hit four pedestrians who were crossing the road.

A toddler was seriously injured and in a critical condition and was admitted to the Rundu state hospital but later succumbed,” the police report reads.

The suspect, Mutero Vensinslaus Mbangu from Rundu's Kehemu location, was arrested the same evening after the police found the vehicle abandoned about a kilometre from the accident scene. Mbangu appeared before the Rundu Magistrate's Court late yesterday.

Namibian Sun has established that Mbangu was released from custody last year after the Rundu Magistrate's Court struck from the roll a case in which he had been arrested in September 2015 for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and six-year-old son at Ndiyona, 110 kilometres east of Rundu.

Magistrate Hellen Olaiya yesterday postponed the matter to 9 April 2020.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Fishrot Six moved to maximum security facility

January 2, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Fishrot Six moved to maximum security facility STAFF REPORTER



Police yesterday cited cost -saving and improved security as reasons behind moving the so-called Fishrot Six from the Seeis police holding cells to the maximum security Windhoek Central Prison yesterday.

Former ministers Bernhardt Esau (fisheries) and Sacky Shanghala (justice) have been kept at the Seeis cells alongside four other co-accused in the landmark fisheries bribery scandal, namely former Fishcor board chairperson James Hatuikulipi, businessman Tamson 'Fitty' Hatuikulipi, former Investec Asset Management client manager Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo.

Esau was admitted to hospital early this week under heavy police guard and will be moved to Windhoek Central Prison to join his cohorts one he has recovered, police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun.

They are in custody after allegedly receiving about N$150 million in bribes in exchange for giving Icelandic seafood company Samherji access to Namibian fishing quotas.

Having failed in their High Court bid to have their case thrown out in December, the six were scheduled to move from Seeis yesterday, according to Ndeitunga.

“We are moving them for ease of administration of their case. For us as the police, it would save us costs, especially in fuel. But for the accused, it means better security for them, better access to their families, their lawyers and better proximity to basic amenities such as hospitals,” Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun.

Ndeitunga also pointed out that Namibian Correctional Services are the custodians of awaiting-trial inmates because Namibia does not have remand prisons.

“Police officers are not well trained in keeping inmates in custody. Correctional services are better equipped in this regard, so it is to the benefit of the accused that we are releasing them into better professional care,” he said.

“We are police officers, it’s not our job to keep accused persons for extended periods. In any case, they are not the only awaiting-trial persons at Windhoek Central Prison. Many others, including the two Americans accused of murder (Marcus Thomas and Kevan Townsend) are also kept there while awaiting trial,” he added.

Esau and Shanghala resigned from their ministerial positions early in November when the international media exposed their alleged corrupt activities.

The ruling party Swapo has since removed them from its list of parliamentarians, amidst increasing pressure for the party to start acting on members embroiled in corruption scandals.

James Hatuikulipi has resigned from Investec and the Fishcor board of directors, while Gustavo has been placed on suspension.

The six men are expected back in court on February 20, although it is expected they will lodge a formal bail application before that.

Vehicle theft rife in Oshana

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Vehicle theft rife in Oshana Three stolen since December

Employees at car wash outlets and those working at taxi ranks have been fingered in some of the theft cases.

ILENI NANDJATO

The theft of motor vehicles is on the rise in the Oshana region, with the regional police reporting that three vehicles have been stolen since December.

Oshana regional police spokesperson inspector Thomas Aiyambo cautioned vehicle owners to make sure that their vehicles are always protected from theft.

The latest incident happened last Friday when a pink Toyota Vitz was stolen at the Sun Square Mall at Ondangwa.

According to the police report, it is alleged that the complainant left the car’s engine running and went into a restaurant to eat.

While inside, he saw an unknown person driving his vehicle away. The vehicle, registration number B709 BHC, has not yet been recovered and no arrest has been made.

An employee at a car wash was arrested in connection with the theft of a Ford Ranger, stolen from the Titanic Car Wash in Ongwediva on 8 December. Police reported that the white single cab was stolen after the owner left it to be washed and took another car home that had already been washed.

The Ford Ranger was found the following day abandoned at the car wash employee’s home village of Omano ga Kambungu, south of Ondangwa, where it was stuck in the sand with a burst tyre.

Another person who works at a loading zone in Oshakati was arrested in connection with the theft of a taxi on 8 December at Oyetu Complex taxi rank at Ondangwa.

Police reported that a taxi driver left his Mazda Damio with its keys inside and that the suspect drove away with it. The vehicle was recovered on 10 December at Okaku Kiitembu village near Omuthiya in the Oshikoto region after members of the public tipped off the police.

It seems the suspect abandoned the car after it ran out of fuel.

No arrest has been made in this regard.

“Vehicle owners must always make sure that they park their vehicles at safe places. They must make sure that their engines are off and car keys are not inside. They must also avoid trusting their vehicles with strangers such as car washers, car guards and so on,” Aiyambo said.

He added that owners of vehicles which lock automatically should make sure that the vehicle is indeed locked, while “those with import cars must apply additional locks to safeguard their vehicles”.

THEFT: A Ford Ranger that was stolen from a car wash at Ongwediva was recovered at Omano ga Kambungu village south of Ondangwa.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Silos run empty

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Silos run empty ELLANIE SMIT

Most government silos stood empty by the end of last November, with stock at only 7.33% of the total holding capacity.

The Agricultural Inputs and Household Food Security Situation Report provided the latest statistics on the national food reserve stock levels in the country as recorded until November 2019.

The records showed that five national food reserves in Namibia, with a collective storage capacity of 22 900 metric tonnes of grain (maize and pearl millet combined), held stock of only 1 679 tonnes.

“Most of the silos are at present empty as the current stock is only 7.33% of the total holding capacity. This consists of about 711.86 tonnes of white maize at Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Tsandi and about 967.32 tonnes of pearl millet at the Okongo silo,” the report says.

At Katima Mulilo, the national silos can accommodate 7 400 tonnes, but by the end of November held only 1 170 tonnes of maize (0.02%).

For Rundu, the national silos can accommodate 4 000 tonnes, but the current stock level is as low as 1.13 tonnes or 0.03% of maize.

The national silos in Omuthiya, which can also hold 4 000 tonnes, had nothing in stock by the end of November.

Tsandi silos, with a storage capacity of 3 000 tonnes, stood at 709.56 tonnes (23.65%) of maize, while Okongo, which can accommodate 4 500 metric tonnes of grain, had 967.32 metric tonnes (21.5%) of pearl millet in stock.

The report however adds that it is important to note that much of the grains which could have been stored in the silos are milled and distributed directly as part of drought relief food assistance by the government.

According to the report, since the start of the 2019/2020 marketing season in May 2019, imports for cereal grains were received to cover the domestic shortfall.

By the end of November 2019, the country imported aggregate cereals of 165 400 tons, consisting of 71 900 tonnes of wheat, 91 500 tonnes of white maize and 2 000 tonnes of pearl millet.

“The imports have also resulted in a surplus of 39 700 tons of wheat. However, there is still an uncovered shortfall for both maize and pearl millet of 34 700 tons and 65 500 tons respectively. The shortfall under normal circumstances is expected to be covered through additional commercial imports in the forms of either flour or grains.”

The report further points out that following the late start of the 2019/2020 rainfall season, cultivation activities were delayed by over a month.

However, most parts of the country received good rainfall at the beginning of December and many farmers have since started with cultivation activities.

About 22 metric tonnes of pearl millet seeds have been procured and are expected to be distributed to the communal crop-producing regions this season, says the report. The north-central and the Zambezi regions will each get three tonnes, while Kavango West and Kavango East will receive 2.4 tons and 1.6 metric tonnes respectively. The Kunene region will receive 1.4 metric tonnes of pearl millet seed.

NEARING EMPTY: The Agriculture ministry’s silos at Tsandi in the Omusati region. Photo: FILE

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Decomposed body found in pond at Oshakati

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Decomposed body found in pond at Oshakati NAMPA

The decomposed body of an unknown man suspected to be in his 30s was found floating in a pond last Sunday at Evululuko location in Oshakati east.

A crime report issued by the Namibian Police Force yesterday said the body was discovered by a 12-year-old boy at 15h00, and is suspected to have been in the water for approximately five days.

The cause of death is still unknown and the deceased has not yet been identified.

Police investigations continue.

In another incident, 40-year-old Silvanus Kwateigenawa Namunganga died on the spot after he was allegedly hit by a white GMW bakkie on the Omungwelume road at Okakukanagula village last Sunday.

The bakkie, registration number N157-734W, was travelling from Omungwelume to Oshakati and the driver was alone in the vehicle when he allegedly hit the deceased, who was crossing the road alone.

The next of kin have not yet been informed.

The 35-year-old driver was allegedly intoxicated and is being detained at the Oshakati police station.

Police investigations continue.

No ban on 7-seaters yet

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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No ban on 7-seaters yet Minister of transport John Mutorwa says no ban has been enforced on the use of seven-seater vehicles to transport people between towns.

Various media reports last year indicated that a ban had been imposed on the use of the vehicles to commercially transport people.

Mutorwa explained that there was instead an operation held over the festive season to determine that vehicles being used were in a roadworthy condition. This is the second time the minister has reiterated that there is no ban on these vehicles.

“I must state again, like I said in Parliament, that there has not been any ban on seven-seaters transporting passengers long distance beyond the municipal areas.”

The ministry however said that proper checks would be done on vehicles transporting people to and from their holiday destinations.

“What I can confirm is that there is a special operation for the festive season looking at compliance to road safety issues and this includes motor vehicles transporting passengers for reward or for a fee. The special operation, amongst others, looks at illegal transportation of passengers, drinking and driving, seatbelts, overloading [and the] roadworthiness of vehicles,” he said.

Mutorwa however sounded a warning that the use of seven-seaters would be limited to the confines of transport permits, and that drivers transporting people would have to have the necessary authorisation.

“Seven-seaters are reminded to limit their distance between the designated towns on their authorised transport permits. Anyone who does not have a transport permit is not permitted to transport passengers for reward or a fee,” he said.

Deputy minister of transport James Sankwasa last July called for the ban of these vehicles to transport passengers for commercial gain.

Sankwasa told the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation at the time that such vehicles were unsafe for this purpose, and by law, should not be allowed to operate. The government at the time told long-distance operators that they will, however, be able to operate within a 60-kilometre radius of municipal areas.





OGONE TLHAGE

Klein Aub-Rehoboth road accident victim identified

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Klein Aub-Rehoboth road accident victim identified The man who died instantly last Sunday after the car he was travelling in overturned on the C24 Klein Aub-Rehoboth gravel road has been identified as 35-year-old Lesley Cornelius Strauss.

The Namibian Police Force's acting regional crime investigations coordinator, detective chief inspector Simon Hauwanga, confirmed the identity of the deceased to Nampa yesterday, saying Strauss was travelling with the driver Louis Strauss and female passenger Linda Garoës at the time of the accident, which occurred while on their way from Farm Marinehof.

“It is alleged that four kilometres to Rehoboth, another vehicle approached from behind. While in the process of giving way for the vehicle to overtake, the driver of the Nissan pick-up lost control of the vehicle and it overturned,” he said.

The incident happened between 16h30 and 17h00, and all three passengers were thrown out of the vehicle, killing the 35-year-old Strauss instantly.

The driver and Garoës were transported to St Mary's Hospital at Rehoboth with serious injuries.

The next of kin of the deceased have been informed. Police investigations into a case of culpable homicide continue.

NAMPA

Hamunyela urges Khorixas women to take threats by men seriously

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Hamunyela urges Khorixas women to take threats by men seriously Khorixas-based public prosecutor Penda Hamunyela has urged women living in the area to take insults and threats made against them by men seriously, as they lead to assaults and murder.

Hamunyela, who addressed women at a meeting held at the Khorixas Magistrate's Court last Friday, stressed that women have a tendency of not reporting insults as well as threats because their partners could be breadwinners, adding that this is a great concern to the public prosecutor's office.

“Simple insults can be reported to the Namibian Police Force and to my office so that I can take the necessary steps. If men start insulting women, then it is a sign that they are capable of hurting them or even murdering them. I also advise you to call me any time you need help,” he said.

Hamunyela noted that women in Khorixas tend to open cases only to withdraw them for a number of reasons such as children who are fed by their fathers and out of pity.

Another challenge the prosecutor's office faces is witnesses in gender-based violence (GBV) cases who are not willing to testify in court.

This, he said, “is making it difficult for my office to have the accused persons prosecuted because there are not enough or no witnesses at all”.

He said denying bail to GBV-accused persons can be made possible when a number of people are willing to testify on why they think the accused should not be granted bail.

Approximately 90 women attended the meeting.

NAMPA

New MPs sworn in

January 6, 2020, 2:00 pm

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New MPs sworn in FILL THE VOID: Swapo members Ephraim Nekongo, Joel Kaapanda, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and Festus Marenga were sworn in as members of the National Assembly yesterday afternoon. They replaced Sacky Shanghala and Bernhardt Esau who the party recalled from parliament over the Fishrot saga, as well as Jerry Ekandjo and Sebastian Karupu who resigned recently. The quartet will serve until 21 March when the new parliament would be sworn in. Photo Jemima Beukes