The lion vows to roar

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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The lion vows to roar Current WBO junior flyweight international champion Japhet “The Lion” Uutoni predicts a victory in Puerto Rico.

The Namibian has a date set with Angel Acosta from Puerto Rico for the final world title eliminator on Saturday.

Speaking from Puerto Rico yesterday Uutoni said: “I am quite happy with my preparations so far.

“I am looking forward to a great fight against Acosta, and while I know he is a good boxer I am super confident of a win.

“I am super fit, well prepared and look forward to a great win” Uutoni said.

Promoter Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias also shared the same views as his boxer.

Tobias believes that Uutoni has what it takes to send his opponent down to the canvas on enemy territory.

He added that they received a great reception from the Americans.

“Japhet “The Lion” Uutoni and the team have arrived safely in Puerto Rico.

“The team got a warm reception from Cotto Promotions upon arriving.

“The weather is quite hot here and we are happy with the reception and hospitality so far.

“We had a public work out yesterday that was attended by so many boxing fans.

“Tomorrow we will have a press conference, and then on Thursday the two boxers will face off.

“On Friday we will have the official weigh-in and Saturday will be the big fight,” Tobias said.

The fight will be televised live on Puerto Rico TV on Saturday evening.

Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias explained that a final world title eliminator is when two top-rated fighters are given an opportunity to fight each other, and the winner will become the mandatory challenger to fight the current world champion.

The Namibian boasts with a record 13 fights in which he won 12 with only one defeat to his professional career.

The Namibian however faces a titanic task given that Acosta has an impressive record of 15 victories in his 15 professional fights.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Shalulile back on the field

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shalulile back on the fieldKatjiukua makes debut at Highlands After having an impressive game time at Highlands Park and leading his team to the PSL, Namibian Peter Shalulile was back in action on Tuesday after being out for months due to an injury he was nursing. Highlands park midfielder Peter Shalulile made his comeback after being out of the game for months following his ankle operation last year.

Shalulile came on in the 51st minute of their encounter with Cape Town City on Tuesday that saw them go down by 3-0.

His countryman Chris Katjiukua who just sealed a new deal with Highlands also made his debut at the team.

The victory took Cape Town City to the second spot in the league standings, while the 'lions of the north' remain 15th on the table.

City began the match lively and they took the lead through Lebogang Manyama, who scored with a beautiful curler to make it 1-0 five minutes into the game.

Charlton Mashumba, the Highlands striker, tried to respond with a goal for his side ten minutes later, but his well-taken shot narrowly missed the target.

The 'citizens' were looking dangerous each time they pushed forward in search of more goals against the 'lions of the north'.

Letsie Koapeng, who joined City during the recent January transfer window, doubled his new side's lead two minutes after the half-hour mark.

The former Orlando Pirates striker scored with a composed finish to make it 2-0 to City on his competitive debut, after pouncing on a loose ball inside the box.

The Highlands managed to contain the City in the remaining minutes of the first half and the score was 2-0 in favour of the home side at halftime. With his side trailing, Gordon Igesund decided to pull out ineffective Sandile Khwela for Shaulile six minutes into the second half.

Igesund's counterpart, Eric Tinkler, responded by introducing striker Judas Mosemeadi for newcomer Koapeng as the home side looked to extend their lead.

City were enjoying more possession and in the 75th minute Moseamedi unleashed a shot which was well saved by Highlands keeper Tapuwa Kapini. Zimbabwean Kapini made a late save in the 81st minute, denying City forward Manyama, who was looking for his ninth league goal of the season.

However, Kapini was beaten eight minutes later when Moseamedi scored with his right-foot to seal a 3-0 win for City on the night.



Teams:

Cape Town City: Walters, Masina (Jayiya 66'), Mkhize, Gumede, Mokeke, Putsche, Johannes, Koapeng (Moseamedi 66'), Ngoma, Manyama, Dove (Seedat 87').



Highlands Park: Kapini, Oluwafeni, Katjiukua, Nhlapho, Ngalo, Theron (Sitayitayi 55'), Mvala, Khwela (Shaulile 51'), Cale, Mashumba, Moriri, (Khuboni 66'). -Additional reporting SuperSport

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NBF AGM on this month

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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NBF AGM on this month The Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) will host its annual general meeting (AGM) later this month, where members will deliberate on the hosting of amateur tournaments, amongst other agenda points.

Boxing federation's spokesperson Robert Haihambo said this year being an elective year for some of the affiliate regional federations, the boxing mother body sees it timely to enforce a few rules.

“Hosting of unapproved or non-sanctioned amateur boxing tournaments is a form of disregard for AIBA rules.

“If the hosting of a tournament is not part of the approved national calendar then it is regarded as unrecognised and thus not approved and illegal,” he said, adding that those will be amongst the few points that will need to be emphasised.

The planned AGM that will be hosted in Windhoek on 25 February will see over 28 delegates attending the meeting.

Haihambo indicated that the federation has set out 2017 as a year of development and aligning itself to improved administration with better engagement with affiliates and partners through education and dialogue.

He further indicated that a member of a regional federation standing for election or nomination as an executive at any level of amateur boxing is to sign an eligibility form confirming that they are not involved in professional boxing other than amateur boxing.

He noted that forming strategic alliances both locally and international has been re-emphasised as a crucial point for the year and going forward as funding continues to be a possible hamstring for the federation's activities.

“The federation's mandate and its values revolve around serving the boxer and we are looking to secure mutually beneficial partnerships to make this event a success,” he said.

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Lahm calls time on career

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Lahm calls time on careerGermany's captain to retire in June The German captain who has also been described as the greatest defender has announced his retirement from football in June. Bayern Munich's captain Philipp Lahm, who announced on Tuesday he will retire from all football at the end of the season, is one of the greatest defenders of his generation.

He will stand down in June, just a few months shy of his 34th birthday, with Bayern currently bidding to win a fifth straight German league title.

But his crowning glory was nearly three years prior when he led Germany to the 2014 World Cup title.

At Rio de Janeiro's Maracana he joined an elite club of 20 World Cup-winning captains, which puts him up with Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore.

Lahm has not always had an easy career, battling with injury and the hierarchy at his lifelong club Bayern Munich, for whom he made his 501st appearance on Tuesday.

Ex-Bayern coach Pepe Guardiola once described Lahm as “the most intelligent footballer I have ever managed” and often switched him from right-back to midfield.

“Philipp can play anywhere, he could be our striker if we asked him,” Guardiola added.

Lahm, who played 113 games in a decade of international duty for Germany, joined Bayern as an 11-year-old in 1995.

Back then, he saw himself as an attacking midfielder in the mould of Mehmet Scholl, a pillar of the Bayern team of the 1990s and 2000s.

But when the club decided his best place was as a defender, Italian tough guy Paolo Maldini became his hero. Lahm has since made his name as a fearless but quiet leader, dependable and adaptable on the field. Nowhere can that be better seen than in the “Mr 100 Percent” tributes paid by the German press after an inspirational display against Hertha Berlin in a 3-1 win in March 2014.

The victory secured the 2013/14 German title at record speed for Bayern, and Lahm carried out another record 134 passes in a league game with 100% accuracy.

At the 2014 World Cup, Lahm started the group games in midfield, but coach Joachim Loew quickly switched him to his habitual place at right or left back. Lahm scored five goals for Germany, the most important, he says, was a 90th minute strike in the 2008 European Championship semi-final that secured victory over Turkey. In the final it was a mistake between Lahm and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann that gave away the Fernando Torres goal giving Spain victory.

With Bayern he has won seven Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, the German Super Cup three times and the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. He took over the Bayern captaincy after Dutch hardman midfielder Mark van Bommel left in January 2011 and has been loyal to his team through thick and thin.

Lahm made his debut for the senior side in 2002, but there were so many top defenders and midfielders that he was loaned out to VfB Stuttgart from 2003 to 2005. He tore a cruciate knee ligament in one of his last games for Stuttgart and also suffered a stress fracture of the foot.

But back at Bayern, he quickly established himself as first choice fullback, turned down a big money move to Barcelona in 2008 and then quickly became frustrated.

Bayern imposed its then biggest ever disciplinary fine against Lahm in November 2009, reported to be more than 25 000 euros (US$26 706), for an interview when he criticised the club transfer policy and its tactics. “It could be that my personality had been underrated,” he was quoted as saying in a later interview. “For me it was important to know how Bayern see me.

“And there were times when I had the impression that my opinion wasn't 100% appreciated all the time.

“Now, after several good discussions, I have the feeling of being an important part of the Bayern puzzle.

“And that was very important to me.” And again, Lahm bounced back.

He was made Germany captain in 2010 after Michael Ballack was ruled out of that year's World Cup in South Africa by injury - and never looked back.



NAMPA/AFP

Bruins fire Julien after 10 years as coach

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Bruins fire Julien after 10 years as coach Claude Julien was fired on Tuesday as coach of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins after nearly ten years in the job, including a Stanley Cup championship campaign in 2011.

Julien had been the NHL's longest-serving coach and was the Bruins' all-time leader in coaching victories with 419, but not even memories of Boston's first NHL crown in 39 years were enough to save him.

The Bruins rank ninth in the Eastern Conference with 26 wins and 58 points from 55 games, just outside the last playoff position with 27 games remaining and having missed the playoffs in the past two seasons.

“I believe that we have a better team than our results to date show,” Bruins president Cam Neely said. “I also recognise that there are areas that we as a group need to improve upon.” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney received backing from club owner Jeremy Jacobs.

“I am confident in the direction and vision that Don has for our team and look forward to seeing the results on the ice,” Jacobs said. The move came while most of the attention for the region's sport fans was on the parade celebrating Sunday's Super Bowl 51 victory by the New England Patriots. Assistant coach Bruce Cassidy will replace Julien on an interim basis. He coached Washington from 2002 to 2004. Julien, 56, was named coach in June 2007 and the team reached the playoffs seven times in his nine full campaigns, with the Canadian winning the Jack Adams Award in 2009 as coach of the year and compiling a record of 419 wins, 246 losses and 94 over-time defeats. The Bruins beat Vancouver in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final but lost to Chicago in the best-of-seven championship two years later.



NAMPA/AFP

Aanambelewa ya tulwa miipandeko molwa uulingilingi evi

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Aanambelewa ya tulwa miipandeko molwa uulingilingi eviOshipotha shuundulilwa kuApilili Aanambelewa yatano yo mOshikoto Regional Council oya tulwa miipandeko sha landula kutya oyiipe evi pamwe nookuume kawo shaaheli pamulandu mo-2014. Aanambelewa oya tulwa miipandeko taya tamanekelwa iipotha yuulingilingi konima sho yiipe ooplota dhomagumbo nokugandja woo kookume kawo pOshivelo no inaya landula omilandu ndhoka dhi na okulandulwa.

Oya li ya pewa omboloha yooN$10 000 kehe gumwe pethimbo ya li ya holoka mOmpangulilo lyOpashitopolwa mOshakati. Omadhina goonakutamanekwa mbaka oga tumbulwa kutya oyo, Rosalia Ndipwashimwe, Kornelia Amutenya, Julia Hauwanga, Elise Hango naMatatias Moses.

Oya holoka oshikando shotango komeho yomupanguli Leopold Hangolo ngoka uundulile oshipotha shawo komasiku gatatu gaApilili. Okakomisi kOkulwitha Uulingilingi oka ningi omakonaakono megandjo lyooplota ndhika, nokonima sho omakonaakono ga manithwa omupanguli-ndjai okwa tokola opo mbaka ya tamanekelwe iipotha ya thika po-16.

Mbaka yatano otaya tamanekelwa okuya pondje ontopolwa

35(3) no 43(1) yOmpango ontihetatu yoAnti-Corruption Act, yomo-2003, sho ya gandja nokwiikuthila ooplota dhevi pOshivelo. Mbaka okwa lopotwa yiikuthile nokugandja ooplota dhevi dha thika po-17 ku na owala omasiku omashona omanga inaku tulwa iilonga okomitiye yoSettlement Development Committee (SDC) moshikandjohogololo shaGuinas.

Okomitiye ndjika yoSDC oya hogololelwe momasiku 15 gaKotomba mo-2014 pethimbo lyomutumba gwoConstituency Development Committee (CDC) ihe omaindilo gooplota oga pewa elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShikoto momasiku 11 gaSepetemba.

Momasiku 15 gaKotomba pethimbo lyomutumba nguka, Ndipwashimwe okwa lombwele mboka ya kala poshigongi kutya ooplota ndhika odha gandjwa nale na oya tegelela owala ezimino.

Pethimbo ndyoka ombelewa yelelo lyaShivelo oya li owala nomaindilo 24 ngoka gali momusholondondo gwoonakutegelela ihe momusholondondo moka inamu kwatelwa omadhina 17 goonakuninga omaindilo ngaka, mwakwatelwa Hango ngoka a ningi eindilo momasiku 15 gaSeptemba mo-2014, omasiku gatatu konima sho kwa li kwa popiwa kutya okwa ninga nale eindilo.

Okwa hololwa kutya oonakumona ooplota ndhika yeli 17 oya ningi omaindilo sha landula sho omadhina gawo ga tumbulwa nale momutumba ngoka gwa li gwa ningwa momasiku 11 gaSepetemba kutya oya ninga nale omaindilo. Ooplota ndhoka odha li dha ziminwa kelelo lyoshitopolwa momasiku 14 gaNovemba mo-2014. Aatamanekwa Ndipwashimwe, Amutenya, Hauwanga, Hango na Moses oya mono ooplota dhuunene woosquare meta 600, 520, 600, 600 no 600 koshimaliwa shokuhiila shathika pooN$35. Ooplota ndhoka dha pewa aatamanekwa mbaka yatano oonene uunene okuyeleka naandhoka dha pewa yakwawo yalwe.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Aanandholongo ya monika ondjo moshipotha shedhipago

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Aanandholongo ya monika ondjo moshipotha shedhipago Aanandholongo yatatu mOndholongo onene yaVenduka, mboka ya dhipaga omunadholongo omukwawo konima yoontamanana dhi na sha niihole oya monika ondjo moshipotha shedhipago.

Nakusa Eddy /Gomxob okwa sile momasiku 18 gaJanuari m0-2012 sho a li a tsuwa iikando 11 noshinima sha tsa, momutse no montulo. Ompangu yoPombanda oya mono Herman Rukero (28), Benedictus Afrikaner (31) na Maleachi Seibeb (48) ondjo moshipotha shedhipago lya /Gomxob. Omupanguli Dinna Usiku okwa popi kutya omaumbangi ngoka ga gandjwa oga ulike kutya mbaka yatatu oya dhipaga nakusa nelalakano. Rukero naAfrikaner okwa popiwa kutya oya ningile aanadholongo yomondunda ndjoka yili popepi nokaiyogelo moka mwa dhipagelwa /Gomxob omatilitho opo kaya popye shoka sha ningwa po ngele inaya hala oku ehamekwa nenge okudhipagwa. Omupanguli okwa popi kutya Rukero na /Gomxab oyali taya kondjele mokaiyogelo.

Ompangu oya mono kutya Rukero naAfrikaner oya tsu nakusa noshinima sha tsa omanga Seibeb a lyata nakusa komutse.

Usiku okwa popi kutya pamaihumbato gawo, Seibeb okwa ulike kutya okwali ta longele kumwe naRukero na Afrikaner .

Rukero meipopilo lye mompangu okwa ti kutya nakusa okwa kala omuhwapindi naye sha landula sho (Rukero) a hulitha po ekwatathano lyawo lyopaihole ihe ina mona ekwatho okuza kaanambelewa yoondholongo sho a kala nokulopota omamonitho giihuna okuza komweedhililwa omukwawo nguka.

Momasiku 18 gaJanuari, 2012, Rukero okwa popi kutya okwa adha /Gomxob a kuutumba kombete ye (yaRukero) na okwa popi kutya okwa hala okumu pa ombili sho e mu ihumbatele nayi. Konima yoonkundathana dhawo Rukero okwa yi kokaiyogelo na /Gomxob okwe mu landulilelo na okwa kala a hala okuya miihulo naye, naashoka Rukero a tindi olugodhi olwa tameke.

Ompangu oya holola kutya Afrikaner okwa wayimine olugodhi ndoka nando ke na sho a ningwa na okwa tsu nakusa noshinima sha tsa. Rukero na nakusa ngoka a li e na oomvula 33 pethimbo a dhipagwa oya kala aniwa mekwatathano lyopahole uule womwedhi gumwe mo-2009, naasho Rukero a hulitha po ekwatathano lyawo, nakusa okwa kala ta kondjitha Rukero opo yiishunine uule woomvula dha thika pumbali sigo esiku ndyoka.Rukero naAfrikaner otaku popiwa kutya nayo oya li yena ekwatathano lyopahole.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Consumers advised on illegal deductions

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Consumers advised on illegal deductionsIllegal debit orders observed in insurance sector Around 43 complainants in the long term insurance sector and 17 reported in the short term insurance sector have been reported. The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) this week announced report incidences of illegal debit orders occurring in the insurance sector, according to its spokesperson, Victoria Muranda.

Releasing a statement this week, she said: “This statement serves to inform the general public about the unlawfulness of unauthorised debit orders for the collection of monthly premiums or other monthly payments for financial services, and the recourse mechanisms set in place for consumers of financial services who detect unlawful debit order deductions.”

According to Muranda, consumers have reported a number of instances where unauthorised debit orders have been processed against their bank accounts. “Namfisa’s complaints statistics show that 60 complaints involving unauthorised debit orders were lodged with the Authority over a two year period. These include 43 complainants in the long term insurance sector and 17 reported in the short term insurance sector. This amounted to a total of N$9 966 in unauthorised debit orders being processed against consumer’s bank accounts. These statistics do not include those complaints that were registered with the Bank of Namibia.”

Debit orders were made under various scenarios which included cases where previous lawfully obtained instructions and or documents are used for subsequent but unauthorised transactions, cases where no policies were taken out unauthorised policies and as a result no debit order instructions could have been given including possible forging of signatures and instances where it is alleged that verbal instructions were provided, while the consumer disputes having given such instructions

“While much work is being done to address this matter with all Namfisa-regulated entities, consumers are advised to provide only original bank-stamped documents, especially bank statements, when applying for insurance; regularly peruse and study their bank statements to verify the deductions affected against their bank accounts; and to provide their banking details to marketers of financial products only when they intend having deductions effected against their bank accounts,” Muranda said.

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Farm-out agreement for Kudu

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Farm-out agreement for Kudu The ambitious Kudu-to-gas power project got a major boost this week with the entry of Norwegian-Singapore outfit BW Offshore who have entered into a farm-out agreement for a 56% stake on the Kudu project with the Namibia Petroleum Commission.

“BW Kudu Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BW Offshore has entered into a Farm-Out Agreement for a 56% stake of the Kudu license offshore Namibia. National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), the Namibian state-owned oil company, will hold the remaining 44% of the license. BW Kudu will become operator of the Kudu license,” BW Offshore said in a statement released this week.

BW Kudu will pay for past costs upon transfer of the field interest to the company. The final investment decision is planned for fourth quarter of 2017.

“BW Offshore will now start the work with the Namibian government, Namcor, NamPower, large infrastructure investors and other stakeholders to get this very exciting project to final investment decision,” said Carl Arnet, CEO of BW Offshore.

“Kudu represents another opportunity for BW Offshore to take a proactive development role in a project that will produce for 15-25 years. Falling development costs after the 2014 drop in oil prices has helped in making the project economically feasible. The electricity generated by the power station will reshape electricity supply in south-western Africa, providing a secure long-term supply to support the development of Namibia and potentially neighbouring countries,” added Arnet.

Namibia Petroleum Commission managing director Immanuel Mulunga was happy with the outcome of the agreement, saying: “The Kudu Gas-to-Power Project is a key strategic power generation project for Namibia, which will significantly reduce reliance on imported power while at the same time accelerating economic development. "The Kudu Gas-to-Power Project will not only enable Namibia to entirely cater for its own power needs but become a net exporter of power to regional markets.”

BW Offshore did not respond to follow-up questions sent and directed Namibian Sun to a recent advertorial published widely.

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13.9% SA tariff for EU chicken

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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13.9% SA tariff for EU chickenAd valorem tax imposed as safeguard measure The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) recently introduced an import duty on frozen bone-in chicken products emanating from the European Union. The safeguard measure now places a 13.9% import duty on all chicken products. The measure makes provision for a payment of 200 days for the implementation of the tariff.

Namibian Sun asked local agricultural expert Wallie Roux how this would impact the local industry as annually about 1 800 tonnes of frozen chicken of the required 3 000 tonnes is imported.

While the measure is not expected to affect local producers in the short-term, its long-term effect according to Roux is an uncertain at this stage.

“Given the short-term nature of the safeguard measure and the statistics on EU poultry exports to South Africa, it will have a negligent effect on Namibia’s local poultry producer, Namib Poultry Industries, for the duration of this period. More important would be the report of the investigation by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) to justify the imposition of the safeguard measure within the 200-day period. This report will determine the longer term impact on Namib Poultry Industries.”

Namibia Poultry Industries supplies the market with 1 200 tonnes of frozen chicken while the remainder is made up of imports according to the Namibia Trade Forum (NTF).

According to NTF trade and investment policy analyst Maria Immanuel, over 60% of Namibia Poultry Industries’ production is individually quick frozen chicken or frozen bone-in portions, popularly known as ‘braai packs’ to local consumers. With the safeguard in place, she did not expect the measure to have much of an impact on local producers with an assessment by the NTF showing that local producers competing parallel to NPI hardly changed their prices.

The safeguard measure was introduced in South Africa as a means to protect chicken producers, following a surge in the quantities of frozen chicken imported into South Africa, which poultry farmers argue is a serious threat and disturbance to its poultry industry.

The safeguard measure makes provision for a payment of 200 days for the implementation of the tariff. After it lapses, South African trade minister Rob Davies will have to decide whether he will extend the safeguard measure.

OGONE TLHAGE

Turkish purge after putsch

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Turkish purge after putschThe government crackdown continues The Turkish authorities have ordered the dismissal of nearly 4 500 civil servants in the latest wave of a purge after last July's attempted coup. According to a decree published on Thursday in the Turkish Official Gazette 4 464 people had been fired, including 2 585 employees of the education ministry, 893 members of the gendarmerie and 88 workers at the public television channel TRT.

The sackings included 330 academics who were members of the Higher Council for Teaching (YOK), including a leading specialist on constitutional law, Ibrahim Kaboglu.

The authorities had already arrested more than 41 000 people, and fired or suspended 100 000, after the 15 July attempted coup. Many are teachers, police, magistrates or journalists.

On 7 January, the government announced the dismissal of nearly 8 400 civil servants and the closure of 80 associations, including sports clubs.

The dismissals are authorised by the cabinet and require no parliamentary approval under the state of emergency, which has twice been extended and is now due to last until 19 April.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames the attempt to overturn him on a US-based Muslim preacher, Fethullah Gulen, who, he says, is being secretly supported by followers in Turkey.

The scale of the crackdown has been fiercely criticised by the European Union and human rights activists.

The failed putsch that left 248 people dead, not including the plotters, and thousands more wounded.

Meanwhile, more than 5 300 Turks have filed complaints before the European Court of Human Rights over their government's purge. The 5 363 cases filed by Turkish nationals in connection with the post-putsch crackdown constituted over 10% of all the claims filed before the court in 2016, Guido Raimondi told reporters in Strasbourg, where the court is based.

Another 2 945 cases also filed by Turks last year, but not in connection with the coup purge, brought the total number of complaints from the nation to over 8 308. That figure was four times higher than in 2015.

But the arrests have seen not just military officers targeted, but also journalists, academics, activists and others.

Relations between the EU and the NATO member state have soured in the past year over human rights and freedom of speech issues.

Only now are the first trials in relation to the coup getting under way in the biggest legal process in the country's history.

A court in the eastern city of Erzurum on 5 January sentenced two army officers to life in jail over their roles in the failed coup, the first verdicts to be handed out.

Raimondi on Thursday urged plaintiffs to take their cases before their national tribunals before resorting to the European Court of Human Rights.

“It is good to let the Turkish authorities do their job,” the Italian magistrate said.

Should the Turkish constitutional court block the claims, there is a risk the European court will become “submerged by tens of thousands of cases”, he added.

Raimondi meanwhile described Ankara's decision to set up a special committee to hear complaints connected to the state of emergency as “very encouraging”.

NAMPA/AFP

Shot of the day

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day BIONIC CAT: Pooh, a one-year-old cat, who lost his hind legs in an accident and has been given bionic paws, walks in a vet clinic in Sofia on 31January. Pooh, who is thought to have lost his legs in a car or train accident last April, is back on the prowl thanks to Bulgarian veterinary surgeon Vladislav Zlatinov. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Sport must be priority funded

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Sport must be priority funded The government has reiterated over the years that sport will not be a priority-funded area because it is not as important as other sectors.

However, we have always been against this concept because we view sport as one of the elements which can largely contribute towards nation-building.

We all know that the health and education sectors are among one of the biggest contributors towards development, and therefore receive a very large portion of the available funds.

However, it is important to argue that with sport being well-funded too, it can directly contribute towards health and education.

In health, it has been proven that active bodies reduce the risk of heart conditions and many other illnesses.

Some athletes have benefited from sport by getting scholarships to universities outside the country.

Right now, many sport programmes are on hold, while football in the country remains on life support.

This has led to many young and old Namibians being left hopeless and unemployed.

Last year we saw Namibia pulling out of the Cosafa under-20 tournament due to a lack of funds.

This tournament could have created a platform for the young players to get possible contracts with clubs in South Africa and elsewhere.

As we speak, there is also a huge possibility that Namibia would not participate in the CHAN competition if the country’s football association does not source the funds needed for the games.

The government has often preached about eradicating poverty and it goes without saying that by increasing sports funds, their aim and vision would have taken the right direction.

One can blame the minister of sport and the entire ministry for not bravely fighting for the increment of funds when the budget is drawn.

Now is the time that the government realises that many dreams of young athletes have been broken because sport was never a priority-funded area.

Now is the time that the government realises that reducing sport funds has placed a direct burden towards the fight against poverty.

Lastly, now is the time that the government has to step up and make sport a priority-funded area.

Three guilty of prison murder

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Three guilty of prison murderInmate stabbed 11 times in sex triangle A sordid sex triangle that turned sour in the Windhoek Correctional Facility has come to an end with three murder convictions. The three inmates of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, who killed a fellow prisoner after a confrontation in an alleged sex triangle in prison, were found guilty of murder with direct intent.

The deceased, Eddy /Gomxob, died on 18 January 2012 as a result of 11 stab wounds in the chest with a homemade knife as well as head injuries.

The High Court found that the three men, Herman Rukero, 28, Benedictus Afrikaner, 31, and Maleachi Seibeb, 48, had common cause to murder /Gomxob.

“There is sufficient evidence that there is no reasonable doubt that the three men attacked the deceased. There is clear evidence they had the intention to kill,” Judge Dinna Uusiku found.

Uusiku further found them guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

The accused had at the start of the trial denied guilt but chose to remain silent and not testify in the matter.

She found that Rukero and Afrikaner threatened other prisoners in the cell next to the bathroom where /Gomxob had been killed not to talk about what happened if they themselves did not want to be harmed or killed.

According to her, Rukero and /Gomxob were initially fighting in the prison bathroom.

The court found that Rukero and Afrikaner stabbed /Gomxob with sharpened objects in the bathroom while Seibeb stepped on his head. Uusiku said Seibeb by associating with Rukero and Afrikaner made it common cause to commit the crime. Rukero in his testimony told the court /Gomxob was violent towards him almost on a daily basis after he had broken off their relationship, and he did not receive help from the prison authorities when he reported this abuse from his fellow inmate to them.

On the fateful day in January 2012, Rukero said he found /Gomxob sitting on his (Rukero's) bed, and he told him he wanted to apologise for having mistreated him.

After the conversation Rukero went to the bathroom but /Gomxob later followed and demanded sex, but he refused leading to the fight.

According to the court, Afrikaner joined the fight in the bathroom and without provocation stabbed the deceased with a sharp object while Rukero was no longer in danger. Rukero and the late /Gomxob, who was 33 at the time of his death, had a sexual relationship in prison for about a month during 2009.

It is said that /Gomxob continued to pester Rukero over the next two years after he (Rukero) had ended the relationship. There was also an alleged sexual relationship between Rukero and Afrikaner.



FRED GOEIEMAN

Fake banknotes on the rise again

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Fake banknotes on the rise again The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has urged the public to be on the lookout for counterfeit money following the arrest of two suspects who bought alcohol with counterfeit money in Otjomuise last week.

According to BoN spokesperson Kazembire Zemburuka, the bank's own analysis has revealed that the suspects made use of a normal printing machine to copy the banknotes and ordinary scissors to cut the notes to size.

He further urged the public to pay close attention to their banknotes and to thoroughly check the security features on the banknotes.

“As with similar cases before, the counterfeits were of poor quality as none of the security features present on genuine banknotes were successfully reproduced on the counterfeited banknotes,” he said.

“Upon inspection of the banknotes, the shebeen owner noticed they were not genuine and immediately notified the police who apprehended the two suspects the next day when they returned to the same shebeen. The suspects had already spent N$2 800 of the counterfeit notes at several other shebeens, while one of the suspects was caught with N$4 000 of the counterfeited notes on his person,” he said. The two suspects have since appeared in court and have been remanded in custody.



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Nam looking forward to working with Trump

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Nam looking forward to working with Trump President Hage Geingob has congratulated his US counterpart Donald Trump, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said yesterday.

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Namibia-US relations will remain strong under the presidency of Trump, who officially took over from the popular Barack Obama last month.

She said the two countries will continue seeking ways to strengthen cooperation. “All cooperation that existed before President Trump will continue between the two countries and we will continue to strengthen that,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said yesterday during a breakfast meeting with local editors and media managers in Windhoek. “The Americans continue to have an embassy here and we continue to have an embassy in Washington. President Geingob has sent a message of congratulations to President Donald Trump. It is very unfortunate if you have not seen it, but it was sent and it is available. We will continue to find ways of strengthening cooperation between Namibia and the US. There is no change and we continue working with them.” The controversial US leader has largely been silent on his views on Africa although his recently announced three-month ban on immigrants from a string of Muslim-majority nations, also affects Libya, Sudan and Somalia.

Commentators have, however, cautioned that his “America first” pledge could threaten relations with a number of African countries, including Namibia, especially when it comes to crucial aid and trade programmes.

Under Obama, the Americans initiated a US$7 billion Power Africa plan to bring electricity to the continent, while Obama's predecessor George W. Bush introduced the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provided billions to fight HIV/Aids and tuberculosis on the continent.



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‘Associations must go’

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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‘Associations must go’Bus owners in the north say they are being done in At a meeting in Oshakati, the long-distance bus owners said they want town council to regulate them and want the transport associations gone. Bus owners operating at the Oshakati Open Market terminal say they want the town council to regulate their activities as they have lost hope under the control of transport and taxi associations.

They have accused the associations of only focusing on collecting money and not addressing their needs.

This was the tone of the meeting which took place at the Oshakati Town Council recently attended by long-distance bus operators and council members aimed at finding a solution to the impasse at the bus terminal.

The bus loading fees at the Oshakati bus terminal are N$150 per load, which the bus owners think should be paid directly into the coffers of the town council, who should then manage it.

Oshakati town CEO Werner Iita told the bus owners that the meeting was called to chart a new way forward. “We are not here to decide on anything but to hear what the problems are. We will go and study your concerns and get back to you as to what our decision is,” Iita said.

The bus owners did not mince their words when they accused the three bus associations, namely the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta), Namibia Transport Reform Association (NTRA) and the Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association (NPPTA) for being the cause of the conflicts at the terminal.

This prompted their collective agreement that they want the local town council to take over the responsibility of making sure passengers are loaded in an orderly manner at all times. Out of the 30 people who attended the meeting, an overwhelming 25 against the use of association representatives at the bus terminal.

The associations have been accused of squandering money, favouritism as well as influencing police officers to arrest bus drivers who don’t belong to their associations. One operator Joseph Tashiya took issue with the town council for reportedly allowing certain association representatives to have access to the bus terminal offices.

“I would like to know how the associations got hold of the keys to the offices and why did council never introduce them to us?” Tashiya questioned.

He further said that bus owners were not informed beforehand as to what is expected of them when it comes to loading passengers.

However, the association fired back and accused the bus owners of not wanting to be patient and refusing to follow the procedures and rules that should be adhered to at the bus terminal.

Oshakati Open Market coordinator Thomas Salomon said he was aware of what was happening on the ground, but added that the situation was under control at the moment.

Salomon believes that with council’s involvement things can only get better.

“I think it is good that council is getting involved because it is not a good thing that the bus owners do not see where the loading fees go. You see where there is money involved, there are always problems. The bus owners want to know where the money goes and what makes it worse to them is that they are not presented with financial reports from the associations as to what the money was used for and as a result conflict between the parties start,” Salomon said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Land-a-Dollar campaign winds down

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Land-a-Dollar campaign winds down The 'Land-a-Dollar' campaign will officially end in three weeks.

Speaking to Nampa on Tuesday, Land-a-Dollar campaign administrator, Emileeza Ludeke said the collection of drums and counting of money dropped into such drums kicked-off in mid-October 2016 countrywide and will be concluded at the end of February.

“We are collecting the drums and taking them to NamPost offices, where the counting process is taking place in the presence of the Namibian police and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) auditors,” she said.

The Land-a-Dollar campaign was launched in August 2015 to help raise money for the Mass Urban Land Servicing Programme, which aims to service 200 000 erven around the country.

More than 400 200-litre drums were placed at various locations in 15 towns for the collection of money from members of the public. The campaign is the brainchild of the University of Namibia (Unam) Student Representative Council. Ludeke said the money is counted and immediately deposited into the Land-a-Dollar campaign's NamPost savings account.

The money will be handed over to the Office of the President once PWC auditors are satisfied with the administration and management of the drum collection and counting of money.

Ludeke said they will announce how much money was collected during a media briefing before it is handed over.

Other initiatives under the Land-a-Dollar campaign include donations via a text message line which charged N$3 per text, money transfer mobile application, public dialogues and gala dinners.

NAMPA

Hage wants tougher sentences for poachers

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hage wants tougher sentences for poachers The highest office in the country has joined the outcry against the spate of poaching and plundering of wildlife resources currently experienced in the country.

President Hage Geingob, during the opening of the 2017 legal year, called upon parliament to send him the necessary amendments to the relevant laws to increase penalties so that he can sign them into law for the courts to enforce them.

“Let us rededicate ourselves to maintaining our conservation standards by ensuring those who violate our laws receive due process and get maximum sentences they deserve,” Geingob said.

He emphasised that it is important that sentences imposed for these crimes should reflect the severity and danger such crimes pose to the nation's natural resources and highly acclaimed conservation efforts.

According to Geingob, the country values the conservation of our natural resources that is why they are included in the constitution.

Recently environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta revealed the latest statistics pertaining to wildlife crime.

A total of 266 cases of wildlife crime have been registered in Namibia since the beginning of last year, and 231 suspects have been arrested.

The majority of those arrested are Namibians, statistics indicate, while contrary to popular belief the majority of foreigners involved in poaching are Zambians and Angolans.

Last year 260 poaching cases were reported involving the illegal hunting of elephants and rhinos and the possession of elephant tusks and rhino horns.

These consisted of 105 cases of illegal hunting of rhinos, 44 of illegal possession of rhino horns, 74 of illegal hunting of elephants and 35 of illegal possession of elephant tusks.

This year six cases have been registered - one of illegal hunting of rhino, two of illegal possession of rhino horns, one of illegal hunting of elephants and two of illegal possession of elephant tusks.

Shifeta said 222 suspects were arrested for rhino and elephant poaching last year. Of these 83 were Namibians and 17 Zambians. Eight Chinese and 14 Angolans were arrested.

The nationality of 100 suspects could not be ascertained. Shifeta said the number of foreigners arrested in these crimes could, therefore, be much higher.



FRED GOEIEMAN

'ICC is an irrelevant body'

February 8, 2017, 2:00 pm

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'ICC is an irrelevant body' The International Criminal Court continues to waver on key recommendations made by the African Union regarding member states.

International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday said that Namibia, with other African countries, have tried with little success to effect change at the international court.

However, their efforts have been met with resistance on the part of the ICC leading to threats of mass withdrawal by a number of African countries.

“We are proposing reforms but they are being resisted. It is against that resistance that the issue of withdrawal is put on the table,” Nandi-Ndaitwah told editors and media managers yesterday.

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the AU has repeatedly called for reforms to the ICC.

“We have a position on reforming the ICC. In 2014 the AU passed a resolution and identified specific articles in the Rome Statute that should be amended in order to meet Africa's demand. One of them is to say that sitting presidents should not be subjected to the ICC. We have been saying this in order to maintain peace and stability on the continent,” she said.

“The classic example is the situation of Kenya. There were some allegations that President Kenyatta was involved in some activities that led to deaths of many people. Those allegations were being used during the campaigns as well as his deputy. But the people of Kenya didn't listen to such propaganda and went ahead and elected Kenyatta and his deputy.”

She added that the ICC can always follow up on cases when the presidential terms of accused leaders end. African leaders have also argued that the ICC has mainly targeted continental leaders, while western leaders were largely untouchable.

The international relations minister also added that the country was still very much part of the ICC, but that it was working on mechanisms to withdraw.

“Our institutions were very weak when we joined the ICC, but today we have strong institutions. Countries like America are not members of the ICC because they have strong institutions,” she said.

According to her, the ICC is an irrelevant body, saying it was high time that the AU establishes its own criminal court “in order to put the minds of the people at peace who are worried about the ICC”.





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