Withdrawal of cases fuels gender violence

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

Withdrawal of cases fuels gender violence The withdrawal of assault cases in Kunene has become a headache to the police in the region.

This was recently revealed to Nampa by the Head of the Gender-Based Violence Investigation Unit in Kunene, Inspector Theresia Shilula.

Shilula said victims in most cases make a U-turn on reported assault cases after negotiations with their abusers, leaving the police toothless.

The victims opt to take such cases to traditional courts where they will be compensated, she told this agency recently. Shilula said in most cases, victims are promised compensation by the offenders for the assault committed against them. “This is one of the drivers of gender-based violence (GBV) as suspects don't feel the weight of justice on them,” she added.

Echoing Shilula, crime investigations coordinator of the police in Kunene, Deputy Commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu said victims are threatened by family members of suspects, while in other cases they withdraw cases because of fear of losing support if suspects are the breadwinners.

“Victims in most cases are pushed into a corner of sacrificing justice for material and financial support by spouses,” Kanyetu told Nampa.

He however said that if minors are involved, it becomes a State case and withdrawal ceases to be an option.

Secretary at the Otjikaoko Traditional Court in Opuwo, Uapanderajo Herunga told Nampa that a directive from the Ministry of Justice states that GBV cases should not be handled at traditional level but should be referred to the police and the magistrate's courts.

NAMPA

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Syndicate uses street kids

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Syndicate uses street kidsMinister concerned over Windhoek's homeless children Gender minister Doreen Sioka says she is sure there is a syndicate operating to bring children to Windhoek to beg on the streets for money.

Gender equality and child welfare minister Doreen Sioka says there might be a syndicate responsible for bringing street kids from Gobabis to Windhoek to beg.

Sioka believes that there is an organised group of people that transport these children from Gobabis to Windhoek so that they can beg for money.

“Who is bringing these children and why are they receiving help here in Windhoek? Personally, I feel there is an organised group bringing these children. How do these children walk from Gobabis to Windhoek and they are not seen at the roadblocks?” queried Sioka.

The minister said her ministry was investigating the matter and warned people who encourage the young people to come to Windhoek that the law would deal with them. “We are going to go after the culprits. I am warning any person in this syndicate to stop it,” warned Sioka.

The ministry operates an after-school centre that caters for children found on the streets and has programmes that are designed for children up to the age of 18.

Namibian Sun previously reported that 15 homeless children from Gobabis were begging in the streets of Windhoek. Several attempts by the ministry to return them to Gobabis failed after the group kept returning to Windhoek every time they were taken to Gobabis.

Maggy Katimba, who heads the children’s home run by the gender ministry, says eight of the Gobabis street kids are still begging on the streets in Windhoek and the rest were integrated back into schools and into their family life. Katimba says the number of the children who beg from the Gobabis area usually increases because older children go back to Gobabis and recruit more children from there to come and beg in Windhoek.

Katimba says the street kids have become accustomed to the streets not only because of poverty but because of substance abuse. “Besides the fact that the kids come to beg for money, these children become highly addicted to chemical substances, abusing especially glue and petrol by sniffing them,” said Katimba.

Gender equity ministry permanent secretary Welhencia Uiras says the ministry has tried to take the children back but they always return.

“On the Gobabis children the social workers can attest that we have made about eight trips to return them and before our social workers even made it back to Windhoek the street kids would be back in Windhoek,” said Uiras.

Sioka says even though some children have shelter at the after-school centre, they refuse to stay there and at times do not wear the new clothes bought for them.

“Sometimes we buy them clothes but they change into their old clothes and go back to the streets where there is money,” said Sioka.

The street kids have been begging at intersections in Windhoek and at places in the central business district, Eros and Auas Valley. The Gobabis group has become a familiar sight, and for many, a nuisance, to motorists and pedestrians alike.

The group have often resorted to violence when they are not given what they want by motorists. The street kids live in and around the CBD under bridges and abandoned houses.

According to the 2011 census, over 325 000 children in Namibia are vulnerable. Of these, over 128 000 are registered to receive grants from the Gender and Child Welfare Ministry. Joyce Nakuta, a deputy director at child care services at the ministry said over 80 000 children were registered in 2016 alone, as vulnerable children.

Sioka has called on members of the public to refrain from giving money to the street kids because it motivates them to beg for more. “The good Samaritans who are giving money should stop it. Don’t give money to these children. Food for them is nothing, money is very important so don’t encourage them to receive money from people,” Sioka said.

The Gobabis street kids have been begging in Windhoek for close to a year now.

SHONA NGAVA

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N$30 million for genocide talks

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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N$30 million for genocide talks

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has budgeted N$30 million for negotiations between the Namibian and German governments on the 1904-08 genocide.

This money will be spent on legal and research costs, as well as travel allowances for special envoy Zed Ngavirue and members of the Technical Committee.

Motivating her ministry's budget vote, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the National Assembly that the process was going to be “neither easy nor cheap”.

“Members of the Technical Committee will also need to travel extensively throughout the country to consult the local communities, especially the affected communities.

That is how the Technical Committee managed to develop Namibia's country position,” she said.

The minister said the matter was complex and had political, legal and social components that needed to be considered.

“In this regard, my ministry sought the assistance from the office of the attorney-general. The assembled legal team improved tremendously on work started by the Technical Committee,” she said.

Meanwhile, Germany has been dragged to a United States court in a class action suit by descendants of the OvaHerero and Nama people under the leadership of Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro and Nama Technical Group chairperson Ida Hoffman.

The representatives of these two groups appeared for a pre-trial conference on 16 March with their lawyer, Kenneth McCallion.

The case that was filed under the Alien Tort Statute was heard by Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

Germany did not attend the proceedings and denied being served with a summons. The two parties are expected to appear in court on 21 July.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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SADC moves to align education

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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SADC moves to align education

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will formally launch the SADC Qualifications Framework. This is in an effort to re-commit to, and make the movement of learners and workers across the region, a reality.

The SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF) is a regional framework consisting of 10 levels. The levels are based on learning outcomes and as they increase, their level of complexity also increases. The SADCQF enables member states to reference their national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) or national education system in countries where NQFs are still being developed, against the agreed-upon regional framework. This means that the SADC countries are able to benchmark their qualifications against the SADCQF, explained technical committee on certification and accreditation chairman, Joe Samuels.

According Samuels, his committee has since agreed on a way of implementing the framework. “This includes the adoption of 10 alignment criteria to ensure consistency in the way member states align their own qualification frameworks or national education systems to the regional one,” he said.

He also explained that the purpose of the regional framework is to enable easier movement of learners and workers across the region and internationally. “It was first established in 2011 by the education ministers in the SADC region. A technical committee on certification and accreditation was then established to make the regional framework a reality,” said Samuels.

Six SADC member states have agreed to pilot the alignment process and the outcome of this pilot will guide the roll-out of the alignment for the other nine SADC states. “Regional alignment enables individuals to make comparisons of their learning and competence and also reduces unnecessary duplication of learning and effort when moving through SADC for study or work purposes,” said Samuels.

Implementation of the regional framework also includes quality assurance and verification of qualifications. “SADC has created a set of 16 regional quality assurance guidelines that set the standard at a regional level. Member states must align their quality assurance mechanisms with the regional guidelines,” he explained.

To facilitate the verification of qualifications in the region, member states decided to create a regional qualifications verification network. This is a tool for member states to verify qualifications used in the region.

The technical committee is reconvened in Johannesburg since yesterday and will deliberate on education matters until tomorrow. “The framework will be officially launched, marking the beginning of an era of cooperation and easier access for learners and workers across the region,” said Samuels.

STAFF REPORTER

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Efundja: Help will come

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Efundja: Help will comePM commits to assistance for flood afflicted At a fundraising dinner for the annual Ondangwa industrial expo, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said all is being done to ensure aid for families in the north affected by the floods.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila expressed her solidarity towards victims of the seasonal floods in the north, saying the government will do all it can to provide assistance.

“I want to express my solidarity with all those who have been hit hard by the devastating floods following this year's rainy season as well as the Efundja floods caused by the massive inflows from the Cuvelai Delta in southern Angola,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said on Saturday at a fundraising event in Ondangwa.

She used the platform to share her sentiments about the citizens who have been affected by the floods that have destroyed homesteads and resulted in the temporary closure of schools, and caused massive destruction to the road infrastructure in the northern part of the country.

She said the government will continue to assess and monitor the situation through disaster response activities at regional and constituency levels to ensure that the needed assistance is rendered to people who need it most.

“The government will also continue with efforts to strengthen national capacity building for disaster risk identification and mitigation, enhancement of preparedness for disasters and the recovery from disasters, to ensure that our economic activities are not disrupted as a result of these events,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added.

She said in Oshana Region, 566 people from 120 households have been relocated to the Ekuku centre in Oshakati.

Meanwhile the water levels of the oshanas have subsided over the past few weeks.

The fundraising gala dinner was held for the sixth Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE), slated for 28 April to 6 May.

A total of N$424 000 was raised in pledges with Conselect Engineering pledging the highest amount of N$50 000 followed by First National Bank and MTC who pledged N$45 000 and N$40 000 respectively.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said expos are a marketing platform where individuals and businesses showcase their products.

She said one of the serious challenges the country is faced with is how to overcome constraints to wealth creation and economic growth adding that these constraints need to be taken head on by enhancing the country's capacity to produce goods and services.

“Production is the basis for wealth creation and economic growth. Wealth creation and economic growth are in turn the bases for employment creation and poverty eradication. In this regard, it is imperative that as a nation, we promote productivity and competitiveness as critical elements in wealth creation and economic growth,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

“The government is committed to transforming and diversifying the economy to efficiently deal with employment creation and poverty eradication. Employment opportunities can only be created through business expansion and growth,” she added.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Treason trial sequel

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Rhino-horn suspects denied bail

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Treason trial sequelAccused challenge Namibia’s borders Six so-called Caprivi treason accused are challenging the High Court’s jurisdiction over them, saying the former Caprivi Strip was not part of Namibia.

FRED GOEIEMAN

A special plea application by six of eight treason accused challenging the High Court's jurisdiction to try them on charges of high treason is expected to be heard by the Windhoek High Court.

The lawyer of the six, Ilse Aggenbach, is expected to file a plea based on the territorial claim that the former Caprivi Region, now the Zambezi Region, is not part of Namibia.

The six, Progress Kenyoka Munuma, Shine Samulandela Samulandela, Manepelo Makendano, Alex Sinjabata Mushakwa, Diamond Samuala Salufu, and Hoster Simasiku Ntombo, are charged with high treason, sedition, public violence, the illegal supply of weapons and the illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.

Jorge Neves represents the other two accused, Frederick Ntambilwa and John Mazila Tembwe, who did not submit the special plea.

In 2007 all of them were convicted of high treason and sentenced to various terms by the late Acting High Court Judge John Manyarara.

In the August 2007 judgement, Munuma, Makendano, Samulandela, Mushakwa, Salufu and Samuele were each sentenced to an effective 32 years’ imprisonment, while Ntombo and Ntembwe were each jailed for an effective 30 years.

They were convicted on charges of high treason, sedition, public violence, illegal supply of weapons and the illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.

Based on an unchallenged summary of prima facie evidence led by State witnesses in the High Court trial in 2007, the group was found to have attended several clandestine meetings during 1998 and 1999 in the then Caprivi Region with the view to secede the region from the rest of the country.

It was further said the eight were part of those who recruited several people for the purpose of joining the so-called Caprivi Liberation Army (CLA).

In July 2012 the Supreme Court set aside all the convictions and sentences against the group after they successfully appealed against them.

In that judgement the court ruled that the 2007 judgement be nullified, and that the matter be resubmitted to the High Court for the trial to start afresh.

The eight are claiming that after they were granted political asylum in Botswana after the August 1999 attacks, that country's authorities unlawfully arrested them and handed them over to the Namibian police between 2003 and 2004.

Acting Judge Peter Unengu postponed the matter to 15 July for the hearing of the special plea. The prosecution in the matter is led by Advocate Neville Wamambo.

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Rhino-horn suspects denied bail

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rhino-horn suspects denied bail

Two men accused of possession of a pair of rhino horns were denied bail by the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Petrus Mutako Damaseb, 49, and Isak Steven Omeb, 29, both from Okahandja, appeared before Magistrate John Sindano on charges under the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act and the Possession of Controlled Wildlife Products Act.

They were arrested on Sunday, allegedly while trying to sell the rhino horns in the harbour town. Sindano postponed the case to 18 July for further investigation and to allow the accused to obtain legal aid. State prosecutor Sylvia Kauluma opposed bail and informed the court that the value of the two rhino horns was estimated at N$600 000. “The investigation is at a sensitive stage. A firearm was confiscated and there are two other horns that still need to be located,” she said.

Omeb pleaded not guilty. He told the court that he had no knowledge of the horns and did not understand the charges against him. He claimed that he was only an assistant driver.

Police Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu confirmed that a third suspect, a resident of Swakopmund, was released due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime. A fourth suspect who had escaped during the arrest was later nabbed at Otjiwarongo.

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Problem elephants in parliament

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Problem elephants in parliament

Marauding elephants enjoyed a lot of attention in the National Assembly yesterday when the matter was brought up by Dudu Murorua, a Nudo member of parliament.

Murorua put an urgent verbal question to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta.

Murorua told the minister that he, along with other farmers in the Kunene Region, had suffered tremendous damage caused by marauding elephants, with livestock going missing after fences had been destroyed by the animals.

He said when the matter was brought to the attention of the environment ministry, they were told nothing could be done without a direct order from the director of nature conservation.

“They also told us that they do not have any transport to chase the animals away,” Murorua said.

Shifeta responded that he did not have any knowledge about the area where the incident took place and added that he did not know whether the animals were resident in the area or only passing through.

“Please provide me with more information and I guarantee that I will follow up the issue,” the minister said. He added that it was untrue that only a director in the ministry could give permission for nature conservation officials to remove problem animals. According to Shifeta, the safety of people is paramount and problems like this should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The Speaker, Peter Katjavivi, said conflict with elephants was not a new issue and could lead to bigger problems. He suggested that an emergency telephone number be set up where these matters could be reported immediately.

To this, Murorua replied that there were no fences that could keep out elephants.

“We reported the matter to both the nature conservation offices at Outjo and Kamanjab but to date, there has been no response,” he said.

He said if there was no action by the authorities, farmers might have to take matters into their own hands and shoot the animals.

Shifeta undertook to follow up on the matter.

ESTELLE DE BRUYN

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Rent, transport drive inflation

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rent, transport drive inflationCost of living keeps rising There has been a slight decline in overall inflation, dropping to 7% in March from 7.8% in February, largely as a result of a drop in food price inflation.

The high cost of housing continues to drive inflation and local investment managers IJG Securities believe it will “underpin overall inflation”.

In its latest consumer price index report for March, the firm says that housing and utilities are the largest contributors to annual inflation. Excessively high rent increases of up to 9.7% in January had a large effect on overall inflation. In March, it dropped a mere 0.1% to 9.6%.

Good news for consumers is that there has been a slight decline in overall inflation, dropping to 7% in March from 7.8% in February.

“The decrease in annual inflation was largely as a result of a drop in food prices and a slight decrease in rental payments for dwellings,” IJG says.

However, the impact of the decline in food price inflation was neutralised by the increased cost of motor vehicles and general transport due to an increase in fuel prices.

Overall, prices in three of the 12 categories increased at a faster annual rate than during February, eight at a slower rate and one grew at a steady pace. Prices for goods increased 6.3% year on year while the cost of services grew 8.1% year on year.

Due to a stronger Namibian dollar, there was a slower growth in goods prices.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages, the second largest category, was the second largest contributor to annual inflation despite a 0.6% decrease in prices on a monthly basis. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 7.4% year on year, a large drop considering the 11.3% increase in February.

“The slowdown in annual food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation was partly due to base effects of a large monthly increase in March 2016 as well as the decrease in prices on a monthly basis this March. The price cuts in maize meal and flour seen earlier this year mean that bread and cereal prices are now only 1.5% up from March last year,” the report says.

The annual growth in coffee, tea, and cocoa prices has slowed slightly, but this group still sees prices increases of 22.7% on a year-on-year basis, the quickest in the entire food category. Fish prices are also still significantly higher than last year, with an increase of 16.7%.

Transport was one of the few basket categories to see an increase in annual inflation in March, largely due to an increase in fuel prices during the month and supported by increases in vehicle prices.

The cost of buying a car continued to decline to 6.9% in March compared to 9.4% in February, while the growth in the cost of operating personal transport equipment increased to 8.5% year on year compared to 4.5% in February.

Alcohol and tobacco did not grow significantly, with liquor up by 0.4% month on month in March versus 0.3% in February and tobacco prices remaining flat.

However, IJG is of the view that “the increases in sin taxes should put upwards pressure on alcohol and tobacco prices in April as the increased tariff is passed on to the consumer.”

Overall it appears as though Namibia's inflation is declining at a faster rate than was anticipated at the beginning of the year. According to IJG, the strengthening rand drove a decrease in goods inflation and oil was stable at roughly US$55 a barrel. The end of the drought too brought some relief to consumers with some food prices actually declining.

But it is not all good news

“The recent downgrade of South Africa's credit rating, however, has seen the rand depreciate with further weakness a strong likelihood. This will flow through to inflation and could cause South African inflation to remain above the 3% to 6% target range for longer than expected. Due to currency effects we expect annual inflation to remain elevated over the short term although possibly dipping below 7% in April,” the investment firm concluded.

STAFF REPORTER

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No vaccine against lumpy skin

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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No vaccine against lumpy skin

An outbreak of lumpy skin disease is spreading among cattle in the north because no vaccines are available.

The president of the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), Tobias Emvula, told Namibian Sun that farmers wanted to vaccinate their cattle against the mosquito-borne disease but there was no vaccine available in the whole of Namibia.

The chief state veterinarian for north-western Namibia, Dr Kennedy Shoombe, confirmed the vaccine shortage and advised farmers to apply insecticide to their cattle to keep mosquitoes at bay while waiting for vaccines to arrive.

“Our union tried to assist farmers by trying to source vaccines from private pharmacies in the south, but there is nothing. This is a huge concern as the disease is spreading very fast and there are no vaccines to prevent it spreading,” Emvula said.

Shoombe said farmers could visit state veterinary offices for prescriptions, but the government had no plan of assisting farmers in fighting this disease. He said vaccines to protect cattle from the disease could only be obtained from private pharmacies.

He said the disease was being transmitted by mosquitoes following a good rainy season. He could not tell how many cattle had been affected so far, but said that 1.5 million cattle were at risk of this disease.

“The biggest concern is that local private pharmacies buy the vaccine in low quantities. The vaccines are finished immediately after an outbreak. I communicated with some veterinary medical suppliers in Windhoek and they told me that they had ordered drugs which would be available soon,” Shoombe said.

He said the disease could kill calves quickly and cause permanent skin damage in adult cattle. Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection of cattle characterised by the appearance of nodules on the skin. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and biting flies.

Shoombe said because it was a viral disease, there was no cure for skin lumpy disease.

Farmers could either vaccinate uninfected cattle for prevention, or treat sick cattle symptomatically with painkillers and antibiotics to help their lungs.

Once infected, a cow can start displaying symptoms of the disease after four to fourteen days.

Shoombe said the outbreak was first reported in the Oshana Region last month, and then spread to Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati and Ohangwena.

Although there is no evidence that lumpy skin disease can be transmitted to humans, Shoombe advised people not to eat the meat of sick cattle.

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Compensation over justice

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Goat massacre in the south

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Compensation over justice

A 17-year-old boy, allegedly beaten by his employer at Epupa early this month, opted for compensation instead of laying charges – much to the frustration of the alleged perpetrator.

A source who informed Nampa about the incident said the issue was concealed by family members so as to be compensated, fearing that if case went to court, they might not benefit.

“This is a common practice in this region that people prefer to be compensated rather than taking their cases to the authorities,” the source said.

The alleged victim, Kaunambinge Ephraem, said he was beaten by his former employer, Ericky Atende, on 5 April this year after it was alleged that he had stolen something from the latter's house.

“I was under the influence of alcohol and found myself in his house but did not take anything. I was too drunk and just fell asleep,” Ephraem told this agency.

Emilie Kapunda, a relative of Ephraem's, told Nampa that Ephraem was treated at the Epupa clinic and a case was registered at the local police station.

Chief Inspector Petro Oaseb confirmed that the case was registered but no charge was laid.

Kapunda said the family took the issue to the traditional court where it was decided that Atende should compensate Ephraem with 35 head of cattle.

“When a person is beaten, tradition dictates that an amount of 35 cattle should be paid by the suspect to the victim,” she said.

Asked to describe how he was beaten, Ephraem said his hands were bound behind his back, leaving him defenceless.

Approached by Nampa on Monday, Atende said he was not willing to pay the 35 cattle.

“I am willing to fight with all I have to have justice done to me,” said an emotional Atende. He prefers the matter be taken to the Opuwo Magistrate's Court.

Atende also dismissed claims that Ephraem was his employee.

“He was someone I would call in to assist me if needed so that he is able to put bread on the table,” Atende said.

In an earlier interview with Nampa, NamPol Deputy Commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu said the hands of the police were tied in cases where families preferred compensation over justice.

-Nampa

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Goat massacre in the south

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Government schools to close a week early

≪ Previous: Compensation over justice

Goat massacre in the southA weekend of unbridled violence The Easter weekend was marred by numerous cases of violent crime around Namibia.

JANA-MARI SMITH

A case of stock theft has been opened against a 28-year-old man who allegedly stole 36 goats valued at N$36 000 at a farm near Keetmanshoop, herded them to a dumpsite and then slaughtered 31 of the goats.

The police said the suspect stole the livestock at Farm Ditsem on Saturday and drove them to the Keetmanshoop refuse site, where he killed most of them.

The police found 30 carcasses and five live goats at the dump. The suspect was to appear before the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday. His name has not yet been made public.

Death and trauma

Yesterday, the police confirmed that the naked body of an unidentified woman had been found hanging from a tree in Katutura. Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi said the woman was discovered at around 07:00 behind a service station near the Katutura Single Quarters.

The woman’s death is being treated as suspicious, as police reportedly discovered a piece of clothing tied around her neck.

Shikwambi could only confirm yesterday afternoon that a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death.

On Thursday, a man fled after he had allegedly dragged a mentally disabled 17-year-old girl into a maize field and raped her. Police investigations at Nampengu village in the Zambezi Region continue.

In the Hardap Region, a 27-year-old man is on the run after he was accused of raping a woman who had refused to give him tobacco. Police are still in pursuit of the suspect, who reportedly lives at Zais Farm near Maltahöhe.

On Sunday, police arrested a 20-year-old man in the Omaheke Region after a 69-year-old woman alleged that the man had ambushed her and raped her on Friday while she was walking home. The man was scheduled to appear before the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Namibian Sun on Tuesday reported that a 29-year-old man had been arrested after he allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl he had lured to his house.

Four suspected suicides by hanging have been reported to the police since Friday, and none of the four men left suicide notes.

One suicide was reported in Wanaheda, and another at Oshakati. Both men hanged themselves in their shacks. The other two suicide victims were found hanging from trees, one near Katima Mulilo and the other at Onguma-Omulonga village in the Oshikoto Region.

Three pedestrians were killed while walking on the side of the road. Eight-year-old Aneli-Rejoice Namakumbu was on her way to school in the Oshikoto Region when she was hit by a Ford Ranger bakkie.

Police are investigating a hit-and-run incident near Katima Mulilo, where a man was killed by an unknown driver. The police have requested the driver to surrender to the police.

On Monday morning, a 21-year-old woman, Mpasi Monica Musova, died instantly after she was hit by a Range Rover travelling to Katima Mulilo. Police investigations continue.

Trouble in paradise

In the Kavango West Region, a 30-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly killed the mother of his one-month-old baby on a farm near Nkurenkuru on Saturday night.

It is alleged that the man, whose name has not been made public, killed Anna Johannes, 30, during an argument. It is alleged that the man fled with the baby but he was later arrested and the baby was left in the care of relatives.

In another case of domestic violence, Hausiku Maria Kapweru, 31, was allegedly strangled and killed by an unidentified 37-year-old suspect after a fight broke out around midnight at a shebeen near Nkurenkuru.

The man was arrested and police investigations continue.

Murderous fights and greed

A car crash near Okahandja led to the murder of 39-year-old Daniel Nghihalwa, after a quarrel broke out when two unidentified drivers crashed into each other. After the collision, the drivers, plus some family members, began to argue, and Nghihalwa was stabbed.

Two suspects, a 29-year-old and a 24-year-old, were arrested and charged with murder.

A 20-year-old woman is behind bars after she was arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend, Carlos Garab, with a Okapi knife on Friday morning. She was charged with murder and is expected to make her first court appearance this week.

Police are searching for two suspects who staged an armed robbery at the Nurses Training Centre in Windhoek on Saturday, disarming six guards and forcing them to hand over N$35, six cellphones and a service radio.

On Sunday, three unidentified armed robbers overpowered a security guard and a female bartender, threatening them with a bolt cutter and pistols at a bar in Ongwediva. The men then allegedly removed two money boxes from gambling machines and stole N$4 000 cash from the bar. Police reported the estimated value of damage to property and stolen goods at N$104 000. No arrests have been made to date.

Today a man will make his first court appearance in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court after he was arrested yesterday in possession of 312 parcels of dagga. Police said the find was valued at more than N$10 000.

The suspect was also found in possession of a gambling machine and more than N$2 000 in cash.

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Government schools to close a week early

April 19, 2017, 4:40 am

≫ Next: Ruling on SME Bank saga next week

≪ Previous: Goat massacre in the south

Government schools to close a week early

The ministry of education has announced that all government schools will close a week earlier due to various reasons explained by Sanet Steenkamp, permanent secretary of the ministry.
Steenkamp said all government schools and hostels should release learners on 21 April 2017 to allow teachers sufficient time to finalise assessment marks. Any schools that have tests and examinations scheduled for next week should postpone them or shift them to ensure that everything is written to allow learners to be released for holiday on time.
“There is a circulation in place that states learners should be released three days before the assessment marks are in to allow the teachers to have enough time to mark,” she said.
Schools were initially scheduled to close next week Wednesday on 26 April 2017.

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Ruling on SME Bank saga next week

April 19, 2017, 8:02 am

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Ruling on SME Bank saga next week

The ruling over whether the court case of dismissed SME Bank executives and directors fired by the central bank last month is urgent, will be handed down in the High Court next week.
The applicants claim the Bank of Namibia (BoN) acted unlawfully when it dismissed them, and want the courts to deal with the matter with urgency.
High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele, who presided over the urgent legal challenge, today said he will give an order in respect of the urgency of the matter on Tuesday.
At the start of the hearing on 7 April 2017, prominent South African defence lawyer, Advocate Vincent Maleka, who is representing the dismissed directors and executives, said the application was brought before court as an urgent matter because his clients have suffered irreparable reputational consequences, and their removal from their respective positions at the bank is grave in the sense that these people will no longer be able to occupy any other managerial position in Namibia.
The BoN removed the ex-directors and the executives and took charge of the SME Bank following the discovery of what appeared to be unsound investments of close to N$200 million allegedly made in South Africa.
According to Maleka, the dismissal and the removal of the directors and the executive was unfair and unlawful because it was effected without his clients being accorded any opportunity to be heard, as per provisions and requirements of Namibia’s labour laws, in respect of removal and dismissal.
NAMPA

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Salute Boxing to host boxing bonanza

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Salute Boxing to host boxing bonanza

Salute Boxing Academy has slated 4 May for its first boxing bonanza of the year at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.

This was announced yesterday at a media conference in Windhoek. The bonanza will feature nine fights, of which three will be for national titles. The bonanza is a chance for local, young boxers to show off their trait with the hope of contending outside the country in the future.

Promoter Fredrich Nghiyolwa says Cassinga Day was chosen as the date for the tournament in order for boxers to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of Namibia. He also says that Namibia has a lot of discovered and undiscovered talent and it is their job to identify and mould boxers.

According to Nghiyolwa the boxing academy is growing fast and young boxers need to be given the opportunity to shine.

“We need to make sure that we take care of things on grassroots level, that is why big names in the academy are not featuring at the moment,” he says.

Salute Boxing's owner, Kiriata Kamanya, focused on corporate support for the sport.

“Boxing is doing well; get on board to support the boxers. To the fans, come and fill the hall come boxing day.”

Tickets can be purchased at Computicket, with general tickets costing N$100, VIP tickets going for N$200 and a table for 10 going for N$7000.

The full fight card is as follows:

Bantamweight four rounds: Japhet Amukwa vs Frenkie Kativa;

Junior welterweight four rounds: Werner 'Matenda' Tobias vs Raphael Iita;

Super flyweight four rounds: Immanuel Joseph vs Josef Matheus;

Featherweight six rounds: Tommy 'Show' Nakashimba vs David Angula;

Junior lightweight six rounds: Nathanael 'Iron First' Sebastian vs Johannes Niinkoti;

Super bantamweight 10 rounds national title: Jonas 'Brave Heart' Matheus vs Julius Sheetheni;

Junior middleweight six rounds: Vakufilapo 'Cowboy' Nashivela vs Alpheus 'The Viper' Shilongo;

Junior lightweight 10 rounds national title: David Shinuna vs Immanuel Andeleki; and

Featherweight interim national title 10 rounds: Nathanael Kakololo vs Dominicus Weyulu.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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BA, Tigers out of cup

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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BA, Tigers out of cupNPL’s Debmarine Cup wishes granted Three clubs have been ousted from the NFA Debmarine Cup after failing to confirm their participation in the competition.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

The dust between the NFA and NPL is far from settling after it was confirmed that three league clubs will not be playing in the NFA Debmarine Cup competition.

Black Africa, Tigers and Chief Santos were expected to feature in the weekend’s round of 32 cup matches.

However, the clubs did not appear on the latest confirmed fixtures list for the weekend.

The reason given by the NFA was that the clubs chose not to confirm their participation in the tournament.

It had been decided at an earlier NPL meeting that the clubs would snub the competition because they were not ready and wanted a postponement.

Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter issued by the NFA to the clubs.

“Kindly be informed that the amendments to the fixtures were necessitated by the decision of some clubs not to confirm their participation.

“The reason they have cited is that they will not participate in the Debmarine Cup due to the league being inactive and that no sponsorship agreement has been signed,” the letter reads.

Namibian Sun understands that the three clubs will face further consequences for snubbing the tournament.

The NFA confirmed last week that legal action would be taken against the clubs and the Premier League, including a temporary suspension which could be up to three years.

Tigers were due to play Eastern Chiefs on Sunday, while Black Africa were pitted against Bee Bob Brothers and Chief Santos had a date set with Try Again FC.

The three division clubs now automatically qualify for the round of 16.

Meetings between the NPL, NFA and Debmarine failed to iron out the issues.

More NPL clubs are expected to withdraw from the competition within the coming week.

It is rumoured that African Stars, Orlando Pirates and Citizens FC are planning to snub the competition.

Civics, Tura Magic, Young Chiefs and Eleven Arrows have confirmed their participation and will be in action this weekend.

Young Africans FC and Mighty Gunners have also indicated that they are willing to play despite the resolution taken by the NPL.

The clubs will play against division clubs next week, with fixtures still to be amended.

A player speaking on condition of anonymity expressed disappointed with the decision his club had taken.

“I really wanted to play in this competition, but now I feel as if my life is over because our team has decided not to be part of it.

“Many of my teammates are just as disappointed with what the club and the Namibia Premier League have decided.

“This will have deeper implications on our lives because some of us only depend on football,” he said.

NPL spokesperson Evaristus Evaristus neither confirmed nor denied that the clubs had been ousted because of the NPL decision.

“The NPL gave advice to the NFA that the date of the competition must be postponed.

“If the logistics and all that did not work out, I do believe the right people to talk to will be the NFA,” Evaristus said.

Seven matches will be played in the cup competition this weekend.

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Indoor hockey league concludes

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Indoor hockey league concludes

SPORT REPORTER

The Bank Windhoek National Indoor Hockey League concludes this weekend when all participating teams will play their final games at the DTS sports grounds on Saturday.

As the league currently stands, Windhoek Old Boys Sports Club (WOBSC) will remain champions unless they lose against DTS.

Saints will have to win all of their remaining fixtures with bonus points to be crowned champions.

On the other hand, DTS also have a chance if Saints and WOBSC slip up in one of their remaining games since they are placed third on the log.

Previously, in the Men’s Premier League, BDO Wanderers took on a NUST team who have been disappointing this season.

BDO Wanderers won 4 - 0 with Hendrik van der Walt scoring twice.

In the Women’s League, Unam faced NUST in an unexpectedly close match.

The final score was 5 - 3 to Unam. Thessa Amtjita scored a hat-trick for Unam.

As it stands Unam can be crowned champions this weekend while Saints also have a chance.

Later on in the week, in the Men’s Premier League, Saints battled it out against Unam. The stakes were high as Saints had to win to stay in touch with the frontrunners, WOBSC. It was a highly competitive game that had the fans on their feet.

Unam eventually came out as the winners with a score of 6 – 4. Heinie Swartbooi scored two vital goals for Unam as they hampered Saints’ initial title challenge.

As the league’s curtain falls, all teams are ready to put up a fight in a weekend that will be filled with fireworks and tough encounters.

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Spar challenge is on

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Spar challenge is onOmaruru expects cycling joy Saturday will see the strongest cyclists earn some money in the Erongo Region.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Omaruru is preparing to witness exciting cycling races on Saturday.

The event will see young and old cyclists flexing their muscles when they attempt to win top prizes.

The cyclists have a choice between 25km, 60km or 106km routes.

The main race of the event will be the 106km for the most experienced cyclists.

The regional sport officer of Erongo, Berthold Karumendu, said: “We invite all interested participants to register for this event.

“The registration process ends tomorrow and therefore we still have space available for interested people.”

Omaruru Spar has pledged N$45 000 towards the event, while FNB has given N$20 000.

Coca-Cola will give away N$6 000 to the female winners and will provide beverages for cyclists throughout the event.

The under-19 category winners, men and women, will receive N$750, while the runners-up will take home N$500 and the third-placed cyclists N$250.

Cyclists older than 19 will win the same prizes in the open challenge.

The winners of the elite categories will receive N$3 000 and the runners-up N$2 000.

The entry fee for elite riders is N$100, and the fee for the fun run N$25.

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United's poised for Anderlecht

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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United's poised for AnderlechtYoung is confident in his team United are bidding to become only the fifth club - after Juventus, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Chelsea - to have won all three of Europe's major cup competitions.

Ashley Young felt Manchester United's stunning victory over Chelsea set a benchmark ahead of the conclusion of their Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht today.

United revitalised their season and blew open the Premier League title race by sinking leaders Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday in a tactical master class by manager Jose Mourinho.

Despite dominating last week's first leg against Anderlecht, United returned from Brussels with a 1-1 draw, but Young says they have no doubts about their ability to finish the job.

“We have felt that kind of performance coming,” said the versatile England international, United's captain against Chelsea.

“There have been a lot of draws at home. I don't think a lot of people saw that scoreline coming or the type of game, to be honest. We did.

“We have belief in ourselves. I have confidence in every single player in the squad.

“Hopefully we have a semi-final coming up. If we can play like we did against Chelsea, then I am sure we can get through against Anderlecht and into the semi-finals.”

United's win over Chelsea enhanced their chances of securing a top-four finish in the league, leaving them four points behind fourth-place Manchester City with a game in hand.

But whereas the path to a Champions League berth via the league remains steep, should they overcome Anderlecht, United will be just three games from securing qualification by winning the Europa League.

They lifted the European Cup in 1968, 1999 and 2008 and the now defunct European Cup Winners' Cup in 1991, but have never previously gone beyond the last eight in the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup).

United are unbeaten in 16 European home games and have won all three of their previous home games against Anderlecht, including a club-record 10-0 rout in September 1956.

Anderlecht's Swiss coach Rene Weiler acknowledged United's general superiority, he said Dendoncker's goal would give them belief for the trip to Old Trafford.

“It was difficult for us in the first half. Manchester United were really strong and very impressive,” he said.

“We played better in the second half and higher up the pitch. We kept pushing because we knew we could equalise. That goal gives us extra motivation.”

Lyon are braced for fresh turbulence as they take a 2-1 lead into the away leg of their tie against Turkish giants Besiktas at Istanbul's intimidating Vodafone Arena.

Last week's first leg was delayed by 45 minutes after fans clashed at Parc OL and Lyon's league game at Bastia last weekend was called off following a shocking attack on their players by rival supporters.

Speaking before the incidents in Bastia, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas expressed serious reservations about the return leg against Besiktas.

“I don't know whether the game should be played behind closed doors or somewhere else, but it would be very dangerous for us to play with the same supporters (as in the first leg),” he said.

“We're not very reassured about how things are going to go.”

Peter Bosz's exciting young Ajax team carry a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their tie at Schalke, while Celta Vigo are 3-2 up prior to their game at Genk.

NAMPA/AFP

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Catch them if you can

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Catch them if you canEaster drags at the coast rocked it Tyre burns, exhaust fumes and super-hot engines marked a very successful drag event in Walvis Bay over the Easter weekend.

Motor sport reigned supreme with a very successfully Easter Drags national event hosted at the coast by Walvis Bay Motor Club (WBMC) on Saturday.

Waldo Beukes clocked a time of 12.193 seconds and was the fastest man over the quarter mile behind the steering wheel of his Mercedes C63S.

Edson Soares Almeida was the fastest biker with a time of 9.521 seconds on his S 1000RR.

Forty three vehicles and nine bikes were in action and competed in various classes at the adrenaline-packed event where lightning fast speeds were at the order of the day. The weather played along and for once only Namibians competed with club members from Okahandja, Rehoboth, Windhoek and Walvis Bay expressing their need for speed in a safe and controlled environment.

WBMC vice chairman Allan Martin commended the public, the Walvis Bay Traffic Department and Walvis Bay Plant and Tool Hire for their tremendous support and said no unsavoury incidents were reported at the event.

He called on certain segments of the public to refrain from taking to social media and implicating drag racing and blaming motor sport for accidents over the Easter period.

“The accidents reported in Walvis Bay happened after the event which is the only one of its kind happening at the coast and had absolutely nothing to do with drag racing. We provide a safe outlet for motor sport practitioners and the fans and keep the youth occupied as well.”

Martin also expressed the hope that Saturday's event would not be the last to be hosted at the venue in Walvis Bay.

“The traffic department indicated that they will have to consider and look at the flow of vehicles once the Mall being constructed in the area starts operating. We definitely hope the venue would not be compromised since it has become synonymous with the sport at the coast.”

The Walvis Bay Rally will be hosted at the coastal town in October.

The complete results for the respective categories (class, position, name, time and race number) were as follows.

CARS

4A1: 1st - Zachary Martin 15.765 (5), 2nd - Jacques Frederick 16.296 (48).

4A2: 1st - Guntley Mouton 14.724 (50), 2nd - Rudolf Ryk Turck 14.743 (21), 3rd - Xavier Romario Cloete 15.323 (51), 4th - Terrence Kelber 16.204 (47), 5th - Ruben Husselmann 16.495 (15), 6th Ashley da Silva 16.704 (18).

4BF: 1st - Roberto Bertolini 13.185 (12), 2nd - Lester da Silva 13.365 (49), 3rd - Panna Panna 14.013 (44), 4th - Roberto Beukes 14.258 (20), 5th - Pieter Steenberg 14.285 (34), 6th - Frankie de Rebeira 14.430 (10), 7th - Inkono Msati 14.468 (45), 8th - Gavin Theron 14.552 (30), 9th - Lotus Nolte 14.571 (36).

4BR: 1st - Deon Daniel Diergaardt 12.503 (32), 2nd - Piet du Toit 12.824 (16).

4CF: 1st - Nolan Angermund 14.602 (17)

4CR: 1st - Frikkie de Wit 15.199 (3)

4CW: 1st - Dilano Strauss 12.441 (39), 2nd - Abbas Naidoo 12.612 (4), 3rd - Johan Brand 12.664 (52), 4th - Fysal Muller 12.697 (7), 5th- Anton Gabriel Godfrey 12.802 (14), 6th - Janine Javisen Doeseb 12.806 (24), 7th - Giandro Resandt 13.208 (43), 8th - Daniel Tjongerero 13.211 (28).

5BF: 1st - Tom Scholtz 14.886 (33)

5CW: 1st - Enrique Jurgen Wellmann 12.667 (31)

6BR: 1st - Schalk Willem Petras 12.862 (25), 2nd - Devon Farmer 13.524 (11), 3rd - Ruben Maritz 13.527 (46), 4th - Grant Knowles 13.997 (23), 5th - Jan Everson 16.129 (13)

8AR: 1st - Fysal Brenner 12.975 (6)

8BR: 1st - Terrence Knowles 13.506 (8)

8CR: 1st - Waldo Beukes 12.193 (19)

8 CW: 1st - Ronald Slamet 13.335 (37)

BIKES

B1: 1st - Ras van der Westhuizen 10.913 (27), 2nd - Mogamat Husselmann 10.925 (40), 3rd - Romacio Neal Willemse 10.957 (41).

B2: 1st - Edson Soares Almeida 9.521 (1), 2nd - PM Almeida 9.813 (2), 3rd - McAllen Husselmann 9.998 (9), 4th - Charlrico Dragoender 10.660 (38), 5th - Oliver Binneman 10.884 (22),

6th - Wayne Angermund 10.978 (26).

OTIS FINCK

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